Former Deputy Chief Minister K.S. Eshwarappa has accused the Congress of influencing the outcome of the recent MLC elections through inducements, warning that such tactics would lead to electoral defeat similar to what the BJP experienced.Speaking at a press conference here on Monday, Mr. Eshwarappa, who was expelled from the BJP, said the Congress engaged in “purchasing” MLAs to secure cross-votes during the recent council polls. “The people of Karnataka will reject this corruption just as they rejected the BJP’s similar tactics in previous elections,” he said.He drew a parallel to the JD(S)-Congress coalition era, when, he alleged, the BJP deployed financial inducements to persuade Congress legislators to resign and subsequently contest elections. “We gave them money and made them resign. Again, we spent money to get them won in the elections. However, our own well-wishers did not approve of this. They rejected the party in the next elections. The same will happen to the Congress now,” Mr. Eshwarappa maintained. He was part of the BJP during those developments.Mr. Eshwarappa also criticised BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra’s proposal to convene a party legislature meeting in Dharmasthala, Dakshina Kannada, where legislators would take an oath before the Lord Manjunatha shrine to demonstrate loyalty.“Religious spaces should not be dragged into political disputes,” Mr. Eshwarappa said. “There is a risk that legislators might take false oaths before Lord Manjunath and later seek forgiveness before Lord Annappa,” he added.He called for an inquiry into the alleged cross-voting during the recent MLC. Published - June 22, 2026 07:16 pm IST