Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)

Udupi, May 10: "With state Assembly elections approaching, several Congress leaders are showing an inclination to join BJP. There is still a year for elections, so I do not intend on disclosing their names just yet. Many are in contact with us. Many changes will take place in politics after December this year. Leaders from other political parties will join BJP. There will be specific changes in Karnataka under the leadership of Narendra Modi and Yeddyurappa," said MP Shobha Karandlaje.

She was speaking to reporters here on the sidelines of a programme at Kunjarigiri in Kaup here on Wednesday May 10.

Commenting on reports that Congress leader Vishwanath may soon leave the party and join the J (S), she said, "Vishwanath is fed up with Congress. He was the one who brought Siddaramaiah into Congress, made him party leader, leader of the opposition and was later instrumental in making him the chief minister. However, there is a feeling among both the old and the new Congress leaders that Siddaramaiah is kicking the ladder by which he climbed to the top. The feelings will explode in the days to come," she said.

On former BBMP corporator Bomb Naga in whose house police had found Rs 25 crore in demonetised currency, she retorted, "The power of the government is protecting Bomb Naga. There should be an investigation into it. How can the Karnataka government nab terrorists and traitors if they cannot arrest a rowdy?

"The role played by Congress leaders and Siddaramaiah and the people who deposited money in Bomb Naga's cash box should come to light. The truth will be revealed if the case is handed over to the CBI. Therefore, Siddaramaiah should maintain transparency when working on this case. It is a multi-crore scam. From where did he get such a huge amount of cash? Who is protecting him? I urge the government to hand over the case to the CBI," she said.