KARNATAKA: MLA shopping results in ‘Resort Politics’

After a high-strung campaigning in Karnataka, the state has now shifted to high-strung poaching.

It was reported that 4 Congress MLAs were missing a morning meeting of newly-elected lawmakers. This has been strongly opposed by outgoing Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The Congress and the JD(S) together have staked claim to form a government and have won more than the required 112 for a simple majority.

The BJP, on the other hand, is still short of 8 to reach the magic number.

Amid this staking claim and rush to form a government, a rumour on ‘missing MLAs’ can strike fear into the bravest, most seasoned politician.

READ ALSO: KARNATAKA: HIGH-STRUNG POACHING IN STATE? BREAKING NEWS

Rubbishing the claims, Congress party chief Siddaramaiah said: “All Congress MLAs are here. Nobody is missing. We are confident of forming the government.”

Meanwhile, the Congress-JD(S) CM candidate Kumaraswamy has been elected as JD(S) party chief.

Confident in the Congress-JD(S) partnership Kumaraswamy has accused the BJP of dividing the party and of poaching their MLAs. He also stated that they have been misusing the IT department, in a press meet. He emphasized that there will be no question of an alliance with the BJP.

He added that the BJP has been bribing the JD(S) MLAs with 100 crores and Cabinet posts.

To safeguard the MLAs the Congress party has decided to shift the MLAs to the Eagleton Resort.

READ ALSO: All you need to know about Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala

Meanwhile, a tweet by Kerala tourism invited Karnataka MLAs to unwind at resorts in the neighbouring state. “After the rough and tumble of the #KarnatakaVerdict, we invite all the MLAs to unwind at the safe & beautiful resorts of God’s Own Country,” the tweet read.

The Karnataka verdict has left room for such negotiation as the BJP is desperate for numbers, alleged Congress and JDS leaders.

The BJP emerged as the single largest party in results announced on Tuesday but fell short of 112. The Congress has won 78 seats and the JD(S) 38.

The fear of “MLA shopping” was raised on Tuesday evening by JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy, who is looking to become the chief minister with the support of the Congress.