NoemiConley374: New basic entry nd citations

2026-04-29T12:46:50Z

New basic entry nd citations

New page

{{short description|Incidents of Political corruption in India based on bribery}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2021}}
{{Political corruption sidebar}}
{{Politics of India}}
<section begin="lead section" />'''Operation Lotus''' also known as '''Operation Kamala''', is a term coined in 2008 to describe a political strategy used by the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) in the Indian state of [[Karnataka]]. The operation was led by former minister [[G. Janardhana Reddy]] and involved efforts to secure support from legislators of opposition parties. This approach enabled the BJP to bypass the provisions of the [[Anti-defection law (India)|anti-defection law]] and achieve a majority in the state assembly.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/after-falling-short-of-numbers-bjp-revisits-operation-kamala-of-2008/articleshow/64183422.cms?from=mdr|title=After falling short of numbers, BJP revisits 'Operation Kamala' of 2008|first=Sowmya|last=Aji|date=16 May 2018|newspaper=The Economic Times|access-date=11 October 2019|archive-date=22 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322230422/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/after-falling-short-of-numbers-bjp-revisits-operation-kamala-of-2008/articleshow/64183422.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-01-15|title=DH Deciphers | What is Operation Kamala 2.0?|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/dh-deciphers-what-operation-713124.html|access-date=2021-08-05|website=Deccan Herald|language=en|archive-date=31 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731110941/https://www.deccanherald.com/state/dh-deciphers-what-operation-713124.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The term "Kamala" (or "Kamal") refers to the [[Nelumbo nucifera|lotus]], which is the electoral symbol of the BJP. Operation Kamala is commonly used in Indian political discussions to describe strategies involving the inducement or persuasion of [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLAs]] and [[Member of Parliament (India)|MPs]] from other parties—particularly the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC)—to support the BJP in forming or maintaining power in state legislatures where it does not have an outright majority.<ref>{{Cite news |title=op-lotus-in-punjab-mlas-offered-25-crores-each-aap-minister-claims |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/op-lotus-in-punjab-mlas-offered-25-crores-each-aap-minister-claims-3341297}}</ref><section end=lead section />

== Delhi ==
{{anchor|2022 Delhi}}
Former Delhi Chief Minister [[Arvind Kejriwal]] has alleged that "BJP has spent Rs 6,500 [[crore]] [65 billion] rupees on buying 277 MLAs, they also tried to buy [[Aam Aadmi Party|Aam Aadmi Party’s]] (AAP) MLAs in Delhi, and they offered 20 crores to each. They brought Rs 800 crores to buy MLAs of Delhi."<ref name="Guarantee 2 Sept">{{cite news |title=Free power for 12 hours, loan waiver: Kejriwal announces guarantees to poll-bound Gujarat |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/sep/02/free-power-for-12-hoursloan-waiver-kejriwal-announces-guarantees-to-poll-bound-gujarat-2494151.html |access-date=5 September 2022 |work=The New Indian Express |date=2 September 2022 |archive-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903065104/https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2022/sep/02/free-power-for-12-hoursloan-waiver-kejriwal-announces-guarantees-to-poll-bound-gujarat-2494151.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Kejriwal conducted a floor test in the Delhi Assembly to prove that his government continued to have the majority in the assembly and BJP's alleged Operation Lotus in Delhi had failed to poach AAP MLAs. CM successfully proved his majority in the legislature.<ref>{{cite news |title=Why Arvind Kejriwal Needed A Floor Test In Delhi Assembly To Prove Majority Of His Government |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/why-arvind-kejriwal-is-conducting-a-floor-test-to-prove-his-majority-against-operation-lotus--news-219592 |access-date=4 September 2022 |work=www.outlookindia.com/ |date=29 August 2022 |language=en |archive-date=3 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903155121/https://www.outlookindia.com/national/why-arvind-kejriwal-is-conducting-a-floor-test-to-prove-his-majority-against-operation-lotus--news-219592 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Arvind Kejriwal On Majority Test: "To Show (BJP's) Op Lotus Failed" |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/aaps-trust-vote-bjp-arvind-kejriwal-to-take-majority-test-today-to-prove-all-aap-mlas-with-him-3295276 |access-date=29 August 2022 |work=NDTV.com |archive-date=29 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829023040/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/aaps-trust-vote-bjp-arvind-kejriwal-to-take-majority-test-today-to-prove-all-aap-mlas-with-him-3295276 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Goa ==
=== 2019 ===
{{transcluded section|source=7th Goa Assembly}}
{{#section:7th Goa Assembly|Defections}}

=== 2022 ===
On 14 September 2022, 8 Congress MLAs switched to BJP.<ref name="Goa 2022">{{Cite web |date=2022-09-14 |title=8 Goa Congress MLAs defect to BJP |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/goa/goa-congress-mlas-join-bjp-8149937/ |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> Former [[Chief Minister of Goa]] [[Digambar Kamat]] and [[Michael Lobo (politician)|Michael Lobo]], along with other 6 Congress MLAs joined [[Bharatiya Janata Party]], after meeting [[Pramod Sawant|Dr. Pramod Sawant]], Chief Minister of Goa from BJP.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Another Setback to Congress in Goa, 8 Party MLAs join BJP including Digambar Kamat and Michael Lobo|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/joined-to-strengthen-modi-ji-in-another-setback-to-congress-in-goa-8-party-mlas-join-bjp-5954275.html|work=[[Network18 Group|News18]]|date=14 September 2022|access-date=14 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Another Setback to Congress in Goa, 8 Party MLAs join BJP including Digambar Kamat and Michael Lobo|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/blow-for-congress-in-goa-ex-cm-kamat-7-others-likely-to-join-bjp/articleshow/94191835.cms|work=[[Times of India]]|date=14 September 2022|access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref>
{{transcluded section|source=8th Goa Assembly}}
{{#section:8th Goa Assembly|Defectors 2022}}

==Karnataka==
===2008===
The BJP won 110 seats in the [[2008 Karnataka Legislative Assembly election|assembly elections]] in May 2008, falling three seats short of a simple majority. With the backing of six independents, [[B. S. Yediyurappa|Yeddyurappa]] took the oath of office as chief minister to establish the first BJP administration in south India. But to further secure the stability of the administration, the BJP lured seven MLAs—three from the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] and four from the [[Janata Dal (Secular)|JD(S)]] in an operation purportedly funded by mining tycoon and former BJP minister [[G. Janardhana Reddy|Janardhan Reddy]] of Bellary—by offering them money and power. The BJP scored five victories in the by-elections, bringing its total in the 224-member assembly to 115. Operation Kamala eventually became the name of the entire exercise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/dh-deciphers-what-operation-713124.html|title=DH DECIPHERS | What is Operation Kamala 2.0?|date=15 January 2019|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref>

The MLAs who switched parties during the Operation Kamala and resigned are [[J. Narasimha Swamy]], [[Anand Asnotikar]], [[Jaggesh]], [[Balachandra Jarkiholi]], [[K. Shivanagouda Naik]]. [[Umesh Katti]] and D. C. Gourishankar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/elections/what-is-operation-kamal-bjp-congress-jds-horse-trading-poaching-5178843/|title=What is Operation Kamal?|date=May 16, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/fraternal-fight-brought-down-karnataka-government-and-threatens-next-one-106019|title=A fraternal fight that brought down the Karnataka government and threatens the next one|date=24 July 2019|website=The News Minute}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vijaykarnataka.com/news/karnataka/operation-kamala-2008-current-situation-of-leaders-life-story/articleshow/73974480.cms|title='2008ರ ಆಪರೇಷನ್‌ ಕಮಲ': ಕೆಲವರು ತೆರೆ ಮುಂದೆ, ಹಲವರು ತೆರೆಮರೆಗೆ - ಮಂಕಾದ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಕಲಿಗಳ ಬದುಕು|website=Vijay Karnataka|language=kn}}</ref>

===2019 ===
{{anchor|2019 Karnataka}}{{main|2019 Karnataka political crisis}}
[[Ramesh Jarkiholi]] organized 14 other Congress MLAs to resign their posts.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=13 November 2019|title=After denying BJP role in their defection, all Karnataka rebel MLAs to join ruling party|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/after-denying-bjp-role-their-defection-all-karnataka-rebel-mlas-join-ruling-party-112240|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805105820/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/after-denying-bjp-role-their-defection-all-karnataka-rebel-mlas-join-ruling-party-112240|archive-date=5 August 2021|access-date=2019-11-15|website=www.thenewsminute.com}}</ref> [[Ramesh Jarkiholi]] was one of the 15 MLAs from Congress and 2 from JD(S) who resigned in July 2019, bringing down the HDK Congress-JD(S) coalition and allowing [[B.S. Yeddyurappa]] (BSY) to return to power.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/galleries/nation/2019/jul/24/the-15-mlas-who-brought-down-kumaraswamy-government-102416.html|title=The 15 MLAs who brought down Kumaraswamy government|newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=28 July 2019|archive-date=24 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724162354/http://www.newindianexpress.com/galleries/nation/2019/jul/24/the-15-mlas-who-brought-down-kumaraswamy-government-102416.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After Supreme Court ruling held up their disqualification but allowed them to run, Jarkiholi joined BJP along with all other rebels inducted by Yeddyurappa and other important persons.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-11-14|title=16 rebel Karnataka MLAs join BJP day after SC verdict, CM Yediyurappa welcomes them|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/karnataka-15-rebel-mlas-join-bjp-cm-yediyurappa-welcome-them-into-party-fold/1764401/|access-date=2021-08-05|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805104315/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/karnataka-15-rebel-mlas-join-bjp-cm-yediyurappa-welcome-them-into-party-fold/1764401/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=November 14, 2019|title=16 disqualified Congress-JD(S) MLAs join BJP, 13 get bypoll ticket | India News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bjp-fields-13-disqualified-congress-jds-mlas-for-assembly-bypolls-in-karnataka/articleshow/72054512.cms|access-date=2021-08-05|website=The Times of India|language=en|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805104317/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bjp-fields-13-disqualified-congress-jds-mlas-for-assembly-bypolls-in-karnataka/articleshow/72054512.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/20190715-karnataka-rebel-rousing-in-the-congress-1562059-2019-07-05|title=Rebel-rousing in the Congress|last=Gowda|first=Aravind|date=5 July 2019|work=India Today|access-date=15 July 2019|archive-date=6 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706183244/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/20190715-karnataka-rebel-rousing-in-the-congress-1562059-2019-07-05|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="july-1-resignation">{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/karnataka-crisis-congress-steps-up-efforts-to-persuade-mla-to-withdraw-resignation-from-assembly/articleshow/70216118.cms|title=Karnataka crisis: Congress steps up efforts to persuade MLA to withdraw resignation from assembly|date=14 July 2019|work=Times of India|access-date=15 July 2019|agency=Press Trust of India|archive-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715031528/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/karnataka-crisis-congress-steps-up-efforts-to-persuade-mla-to-withdraw-resignation-from-assembly/articleshow/70216118.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="KA MLA 2019">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/galleries/nation/2019/jul/24/the-15-mlas-who-brought-down-kumaraswamy-government-102416.html|title=The 15 MLAs who brought down Kumaraswamy government|website=The New Indian Express|date=24 July 2019 |access-date=5 August 2021|archive-date=24 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724162354/http://www.newindianexpress.com/galleries/nation/2019/jul/24/the-15-mlas-who-brought-down-kumaraswamy-government-102416.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Investigations'''
*On 31 March 2021, the bench of [[John Michael D'Cunha|Justice D'Cunha]] refused to quash the FIR against the sitting Chief Minister of Karnataka [[B. S. Yediyurappa]] in a case nicknamed Operation Kamala case.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/karnataka-high-court-investigation-against-karnataka-cm-bs-yediyurappa-in-operation-kamala-case-171988|title="Serious Allegations ": Karnataka High Court Vacates Stay, Orders Thorough Investigation Against Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa in 'Operation Kamala' case|first=Mustafa|last=Plumber|date=1 April 2021|website=www.livelaw.in|access-date=5 August 2021|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805104316/https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/karnataka-high-court-investigation-against-karnataka-cm-bs-yediyurappa-in-operation-kamala-case-171988|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time of the alleged incident, Yediyurappa was the leader of opposition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/karnataka-high-court-allows-probe-chief-minister-bs-yediyurappa-operation-kamala|title=Karnataka High Court allows probe against Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in 'Operation Kamala' case|first=Rintu Mariam|last=Biju|website=Bar and Bench|date=April 2021 |access-date=5 August 2021|archive-date=5 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905220552/https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/karnataka-high-court-allows-probe-chief-minister-bs-yediyurappa-operation-kamala|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''Reactions'''
* In an interview with [[Deccan Herald]] in March 2019, [[B. S. Yediyurappa]] said "Operation Kamala was not wrong and I don't regret it. It is part of democracy."<ref>{{cite news |title=Watch {{!}} Operation Kamala not wrong, no regret: BSY |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/liveblog/watch-operation-kamala-not-wrong-no-regret-bsy-724200.html#1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231140237/https://www.deccanherald.com/liveblog/watch-operation-kamala-not-wrong-no-regret-bsy-724200.html|archive-date=31 December 2019|access-date=11 October 2019 |work=Deccan Herald |date=20 March 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mohammad |first1=Akram |title=Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa may find going tough after May 2 |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/karnataka-cm-bs-yediyurappa-may-find-going-tough-after-may-2-970753.html |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=Deccan Herald |date=5 April 2021 |language=en |archive-date=6 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210406073712/https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/karnataka-cm-bs-yediyurappa-may-find-going-tough-after-may-2-970753.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
*[[Lehar Singh Siroya]] claimed that the BJP cadre in the State was “by and large against the Operation Kamala” as that would not help the party in the long term.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=B. s Satish|date=2018-12-12|title='Operation Kamala' will not help BJP provide stable govt., says Lahar Singh|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/operation-kamala-will-not-help-bjp-provide-stable-govt-says-lahar-singh/article25728083.ece|access-date=2021-08-03|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805104315/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/operation-kamala-will-not-help-bjp-provide-stable-govt-says-lahar-singh/article25728083.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[H. D. Kumaraswamy]] alleged that the BJP used Operation Kamala to affect the defections of MLAs from his government, causing it to fall.

==Madhya Pradesh==
{{main|2020 Madhya Pradesh political crisis}}{{anchor|2020 Madhya Pradesh}}
The crisis started when long loyalist [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] politician [[Jyotiraditya Scindia]] suddenly went to Delhi and resigned from Congress and joined BJP. This led to many supporters of him resigning from Congress as well.
[[Hardeep Singh Dang]] resigned from the assembly membership and consequently from [[Indian National Congress]], citing in a letter, 'ignorance from his party' and then joined [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] on March 21, 2020, along with 21 others.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.news18.com/news/politics/disgruntled-congress-mla-hardeep-singh-dang-resigns-from-madhya-pradesh-assembly-2527367.html|title = 'Disgruntled' Congress MLA Hardeep Singh Dang Resigns from Madhya Pradesh Assembly|date = 2020-03-05|access-date = 5 August 2021|archive-date = 5 August 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210805104315/https://www.news18.com/news/politics/disgruntled-congress-mla-hardeep-singh-dang-resigns-from-madhya-pradesh-assembly-2527367.html|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/operation-lotus-madhya-pradesh-congress-mlas-land-in-karnataka/articleshow/74483171.cms?from=mdr|title = Operation Lotus? Madhya Pradesh Congress MLAs land in Karnataka|newspaper = The Economic Times|date = 2020-03-04|access-date = 5 August 2021|archive-date = 5 August 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210805105817/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/operation-lotus-madhya-pradesh-congress-mlas-land-in-karnataka/articleshow/74483171.cms?from=mdr|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/congress-mla-hardeep-singh-dang-among-4-missing-madhya-pradesh-legislators-resigns-from-assembly-2190632 | title=Trouble for Congress in Madhya Pradesh as MLA Hardeep Singh Dang Resigns; 3 More Missing | access-date=5 August 2021 | archive-date=5 August 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805104316/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/congress-mla-hardeep-singh-dang-among-4-missing-madhya-pradesh-legislators-resigns-from-assembly-2190632 | url-status=live }}</ref> Ultimately, this exodus led to the fall of the [[Kamal Nath]] government.

==See also==
* [[Aaya Ram Gaya Ram]]
* [[Law of India]]
* [[List of party switchers during Operation Kamala]]
* [[List of scandals in India]]
* [[Disqualification of convicted representatives in India]]
* [[2019 Maharashtra political crisis]]
* [[2022 Maharashtra political crisis]]
* [[2019 Karnataka Political Crisis]]
* [[2015–2016 Arunachal Pradesh political crisis]]
* [[Political corruption]]
* [[List of state governments dismissed by the Indian National Congress]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book |last=Ravi |first=Bheemaiah Krishnan |title=Modern media, elections and democracy |date=2018 |isbn=978-93-86602-38-1 |location=New Delhi, India |oclc=1011356716}}
* {{Cite book |last=Jaffrelot |first=Christophe |title=Modi's India : Hindu nationalism and the rise of ethnic democracy |date=2021 |others=Cynthia Schoch |isbn=978-0-691-22309-4 |location=Princeton |oclc=1238131061}}
* {{Cite book |title=Electoral dynamics in the states of India |date=2022 |others=Sandeep Shastri, Ashutosh Kumar, Yatindra Singh Sisodia |isbn=978-1-003-15997-1 |location=Abingdon, Oxon |oclc=1262691121}}

==External links==
* [http://india.gov.in/ Outline of the Indian Government]

{{-}}
{{Corruption in India}}
{{Asia topic|Politics of}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kamala, Operation}}
[[Category:History of the Bharatiya Janata Party]]
[[Category:Party switching]]
[[Category:Political terminology in India]]
[[Category:Political controversies in India]]
[[Category:Political corruption in India]]
[[Category:Bribery]]
[[Category:Democratic backsliding in India]]
[[Category:2008 scandals]]
[[Category:2008 in Indian politics]]
[[Category:2019 in Indian politics]]
[[Category:Modi administration]]

Operation Lotus (BJP) - Revision history

NoemiConley374: New basic entry nd citations