The ongoing political drama in Karnataka has taken a strange turn after 4 Congress lawmakers were found absent at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meet. Following the meeting, Karnataka Congress shifted its MLAs to Eagleton resort near Bengaluru.
It is the same resort where they were kept, just seven months ago after the results of the state elections were declared.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Congress MLAs reach Eagleton resort after CLP meeting. pic.twitter.com/sKX5eVyV72
— ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2019
“We are not going to leave, we are working together well, let us work. We are all going to Eagleton resort, It would be a one day stay probably, a show of strength. We will also have discussion on upcoming parliamentary elections.” ANI quotes Sowmya Reddy, Karnataka Congress MLA.
“76 MLAs were present physically out of the 79. I will send notice to absentees and seek an explanation. Then I will speak to the high command Karnataka” Siddaramaiah said.
Former Karnataka CM also accused Prime minister Modi of being involved in MLA poaching “Including Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and central ministers are also involved in this process of destabilising our Govt. They approached our MLAs with huge offers of 50-70 crores. I have proof. How come a Chowkidar has so much money?” he said.
The absentee MLAs were- Ramesh Jarkiholi, B Nagendra, Umesh Jadhav and Mahesh Kumatahalli. Umesh Jadhav cited health issues for not attending the meeting while the others are in Mumbai.
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DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah had alleged that BJP’s BS Yeddyurappa has approached Congress lawmakers so that he can form a government in Karnataka.
Earlier two independent H Nagesh and R Shankar MLAs had withdrawn their support from the JD(S)-Congress led government, triggering the current political crisis. Congress has 80 MLAs and is part of the 118 members in the JD(S)-Congress coalition.