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Bengaluru, Jul 29: A day after Congress staged a nationwide 'Save Democracy' protest, Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy slammed Congress for "dividing" the political parties and "buying MLAs" and questioned their "democratic behaviour" to lure Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLAs who supported them.

Kumaraswamy, in a media statement, said, "Is it a democratic behaviour to lure MLAs of other parties through political shenanigans and later merging with them?"

"Congress is an expert in dividing political parties and purchase of MLAs," said Kumaraswamy adding, "If you are dividing the like-minded party MLAs through deceit, who would support you?"

He alleged that the term "horse trade" in politics came to be used because of Congress.

Congress had tied to divide the Janata Dal (Secular) in 2004. To this, he added, "To avoid the party being hijacked by the Congress, I had to oust the Congress-JD(S) coalition government through a political coup."

Kumaraswamy further accused, "Haven't the Congress who is making a big noise about the purchase of MLAs divided the JD(S) in the past? Is it not a fact that for the sake of one Rajya Sabha seat, the Congress government in Karnataka purchased eight JD(S) MLAs?"

Both -- Congress and BJP -- are "criminals" in purchase matter, he added.

Rajasthan Congress is in turmoil after simmering differences between Sachin Pilot and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot came out in the open. Pilot was removed as the Deputy Chief Minister and the state unit chief of Congress.

The Congress has accused the BJP of indulging in horse-trading to bring down the Gehlot government. The BJP has rejected the allegations.

Mangaluru, Aug 7: Coronavirus surge in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi today at 411  with with Udupi tallying 245 fresh cases and DK 166. 

A dozen deaths also reported from the twin districts. While DK reported seven fatalities, Udupi recorded five deaths. 

With this, Dakshina Kannada district's Covid-19 tally increased to 6,881 and the total number of deaths increased to 208. 

While the district has 3,369 active cases as on date, the day also saw 188 people getting discharged from hospitals. As many as 3,304 persons were discharged in the district so far. 

Out of seven deaths reported in Dakshina Kannada on Friday, five were from Mangaluru taluk and one each from Puttur and Belthangady taluks.

Meanwhile, out of 245 new coronavirus cases reported in Udupi on Friday, 175 are asymptomatic and 86 have no specific contact history. With this, the total number of cases in Udupi increased to 5,605, which includes 2,292 active cases. 

Udupi also reported five fatalities including a female victim, taking the district’s death toll to 55. Udupi deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha said all the five victims were also suffering from various comorbidities. Udupi district has collected Rs 1,43,300 as penalty from people for violating rules related to social distancing and mask till August 6.