Cong, JD(S) MLAs holed up in hotels ahead of trust vote

BENGALURU: The lurking fear of a repeat of “Operation Kamala” by the BJP has prolonged ‘resort politics’ in Karnataka, with the Congress and JD(S) MLAs remaining confined to hotels a day ahead of the trust vote.

Ever since the voters delivered a fractured verdict in the assembly polls on May 15, it has been a sequestered existence for them.

Cloistered at a luxurious resort and hotel for the last nine days since political turmoil hit the state, the lawmakers are cooling their heels away from their families and eagerly waiting for their ordeal to end.

There were reports that these MLAs did not even have access to telephone so they could keep in touch with their families, but the claim was rebutted by both Congress and JD (S) leaders.

Reports said these “restless, homesick” legislators pleaded to be allowed to go home even for a day, but their request was turned down. Though nobody could vouch for the authenticity of these claims, the MLAs have been kept away from media glare.

As no party or a pre-poll alliance won a majority, the Congress and JD(S) came together and H D Kumaraswamy, was sworn in as the CM on Wednesday. Kumaraswamy will seek a confidence vote on Friday which he is expected to win. However, taking no chances, the Congress has lodged its MLAs at the Hilton Embassy Golflinks at Domlur, while JD(S) MLAs are staying at Prestige Golfshire Resort on outskirts of Bengaluru. PTI