K'taka MP, however, denies poaching concerns, says Gujarat leaders kept in state resort 'only for rest'; EC demands probe
Gujarat Congress legislators at the Bengaluru resort, where they have been pictured enjoying lavish buffets. Pic/ANI News
After its six MLAs deserted ahead of Rajya Sabha polls, a wary Congress shifted 44 Gujarat legislators to a private resort in Bengaluru, saying it is "protecting" them from the BJP's "hooliganism".
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Ashok Gehlot, Congress' general secretary in-charge for Gujarat, said, "MLAs are being picked up, harassed, threatened and forced to quit. The way the police are being misused, why can't we bring them at one place to protect them from BJP's hooliganism and anti-social activities," he said.
Congress leaders at the Election Commission office after filing a complaint against BJP. Pic/PTI
The Gujarat MLAs have been put up at the Eagleton Golf Resort in Bidadi on the Mysuru Road, after they flew into the city in two batches from Ahmedabad via Mumbai.
Hiding tourists?
Bengaluru MP DK Suresh, who is overseeing the arrangements, however, said that the leaders have gone to Bengaluru "only for rest". "The MLAs wish to visit some tourist destinations and religious places, like Tirupati," he said.
Emergency measures
The Congress is keen to fend off alleged "poaching" attempts by the BJP ahead of the August 8 Rajya Sabha polls in Gujarat. Of the 57 Congress MLAs in Gujarat, from where Ahmed Patel is contesting, six have resigned from the party since Thursday, with three of them joining the BJP.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission has sought an inquiry report from the Gujarat government on the Congress' charges of BJP effecting defection of its MLAs.
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