Karnataka Assembly Speaker Ramesh Kumar Compares Himself to Rape Victim After Controversial Audio Tape 

The SIT probe was announced by Chief Minister Kumaraswamy on Monday.

Bengaluru: Karnataka assembly speaker Ramesh Kumar on Tuesday compared himself to a rape survivor after an alleged audio clip claimed that the speaker was also purchased for 50 crores to accept the resignation of MLAs. Ramesh Kumar said, “When you complain that a rape has happened, accused is put in jail. But his lawyers ask how did it happen? When did it happen & how many times? Rape happens once but you get raped a 100 times in the court. This is my condition.”

The comments were made over the Special Investigation Team probe into an audio clip which showed BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa in a purported conversation to lure a JD(S) MLA in his alleged attempt to topple the Congress-JDS government. The SIT probe was announced by Chief Minister Kumaraswamy on Monday.

Kumaraswamy had accepted an “advice” by the Speaker to constitute SIT to probe the episode to “establish the truth” as his name has also been dragged with the charge that he had been “booked” for Rs 50 crore.

The stand-off between the government and opposition continued in the assembly Tuesday over an SIT probe into the audio clip. Kumaraswamy on Monday had announced a comprehensive SIT probe into the audio clip.

He had accepted an “advice” by an emotional Speaker to constitute the Special Investigation Team to probe the episode to “establish the truth” as his name has also been dragged with the charge that he had been “booked” for Rs 50 crore.

The Speaker called for a meeting of floor leaders on Wednesday to resolve the issue, as the BJP stuck to its strong opposition to the SIT, saying it could be used for “political vengeance.”

The political slugfest broke out as Kumaraswamy on Friday claimed there were two audio clips of recorded telephonic conversation between Yeddyurappa and Sharan Gouda.

(With Agency inputs)