Caught in a bind over a leaked video in which he is purportedly talking of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s role in the fall of JD(S)-Congress coalition, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Monday said the video was “far from truth” even as his Cabinet colleagues came to his rescue, downplaying the impact of the video.
Monday saw the State Congress requesting the Supreme Court, hearing the MLA disqualification case, to take on record the video clip.
A Bench headed by Justice N.V. Ramana said it would consult Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on constituting a Bench on Tuesday to consider the fresh material.
‘Matter twisted’
Speaking in Bengaluru, Mr. Yediyurappa said: “The discussion in the meeting was different. There is no truth in the video. It’s being twisted and things have been added.”
Though the video footage surfaced on Friday night, the Chief Minister has not denied that the voice was his. However, on Monday, he claimed that the discussion that took place in the core committee meeting in Hubballi was far from what it is being made out to be.
Stating that he had nothing to do with the video, he said the Congress was trying to create confusion by adding what does not exist. “Look at the extent to which they have gone. They are even seeking Mr. Shah’s resignation,” he said. “I have already said I have nothing to do with resignations of the legislators and their future is up to them.”
While Mr. Yediyurappa has been slowly distancing himself from the video over the last three days, his close aides said the Chief Minister is confident that the Supreme Court will not accept the video submitted by the Congress and JD(S).
‘CM confident’
“The Chief Minister is confident about the matter. Legally, the court is hearing the powers of the Speaker and on whether disqualification of legislators is valid or not. This is not a related issue. It is doubtful that the court will accept this as fresh evidence when it has reserved its orders,” sources close to the Chief Minister said.
