Twitter war between Congress-BJP over MLA poaching in Karnataka

The political turmoil in Karnataka in the wake of two MLAs withdrawing support to the coalition government of Congress and JD(S) led to a Twitter war between Congress strongman Siddaramaiah and the BJP. Siddaramaiah launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him whether his slogan 'Saaf Niyat' (Clean intention) meant a coup and grabbing power.

The former chief minister was active on Twitter from the morning, attacking the BJP as it became clear to the Congress leadership that independent MLA H Nagesh from Mulabagal and the lone MLA of rookie Karnataka Prajnyavanta Janata Paksha R Shankar from Rane Bennur constituency Tuesday would withdraw support to the coalition government and align with BJP. "Mr Saaf Niyat @narendramodi, Is allowing your disgraceful @BJP4Karnataka leaders to destabilise govt a 'Saaf Niyat' towards democracy? Your PR slogans don't hide your actual 'Niyat' & your 'Sahi Vikas' should go beyond developing resorts. First, show your Niyat to people!!" Siddaramaiah tweeted.

Taunting BJP leaders for huddling their MLAs in a resort as they had done in the past, Siddaramaiah said the BJP always had Gandha Niyat (bad intention) and 'Resort Vikas' (promoting resort politics). He also took a dig at 'Operation Lotus', the alleged attempt to destabilise the government. "@BJP4India has a legacy of 'Gandha Niyat, Resort Vikas'. Their 'Operation Kamala' is not new & they will indulge whenever they feel politically threatened. The recent miserable loss in 5 states is the result of their ongoing attempt in Karnataka which will fail #GandhaNiyatResortVikas," he said.

In a Kannada tweet, Siddaramaiah mocked the Prime Minister, asking him whether guarding the BJP MLAs in a resort was his role as Chowkidar (watchman). "Dear watchman prime minister Narendra Modi, you had called yourself the watchman of the nation. You have now become a watchman to guard the MLAs of Karnataka in a hotel." Hitting back, BJP tweeted, "You seem to have completely lost it after you were booted out in#KarnatakaElections. Remember how your party locked up your own MLA's in resorts just a few months back, Who was then-threatened? Certainly not BJP. Your greed to have control over Congress is today backfiring."

To Siddaramaiah's 'Saaf Niyat' jibe, the BJP tweeted, "Disgraceful is when you form a government even after been rejected by people of Karnataka. Lack of Niyat & Vikas in your unholy alliance is a result of crippled govt. Stop blaming BJP & Modi to hide your failure to save your existence. Your greed has crippled @hd_kumaraswamy's govt" Venting her outburst, BJP MP from Udupi Chikkamagaluru, Shobha Karandlaje tweeted, "Does the man who masterminded Operation Hasta have any credibility to comment on PM??!! The same man got 8 MLA's defected with unethical ways, and now Speaking about Gandha Niyat??!!! It's known to all how 'Gandha' is the Niyat of @siddaramaiah, who practices opportunism." 

(With inputs from agencies.)