Mangaluru: There could be more trouble for HD Kumaraswamy, after chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday announced that the investigation into the alleged phone tapping scandal will be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The former chief minister who visited Kukke Subrahmanya temple, about 100 kilometers from Mangaluru, on Sunday, while speaking to reporters said, “Let them (government) take up any possible inquiry. It can be either a CBI inquiry or any agency of international standards. If need be, they can even speak to the US president Donald Trump and seek his assistance to investigate the case. JD(S) will co-operate with any kind of investigation,” he said.

This comes amidst widespread allegations that HD Kumaraswamy had got telephones of several politicians and rebel MLAs tapped during the political crisis in the state. Recently, an audio recording of a telephone conversation allegedly of Bengaluru police commissioner Bhaskar Rao, where he was heard lobbying for the commissioner’s post, was leaked to the media days after Rao took charge.

Sandeep Patil, joint commissioner (crime Bengaluru), submitted an interim report on the issue recommending a high-level probe into the issue. Chief minister Yediyurappa said, since several political leaders have been demanding a high-level probe into the scandal, it has been decided to hand over the case to the CBI.
Meanwhile, on the Yediyurappa government in the state, Kumaraswamy said, “Why isn’t the government expanding the cabinet even after 20 days of its formation?” He expressed doubts if bypolls would be held for 17 assembly segments. There will be no surprise if the government is dissolved and elections are held for 224 assembly segments.