Ahead of Karnataka trust vote, tension grows in Congress camp over 2 'missing' lawmakers

Tension within the Congress party is mounting as its three legislators — BS Anand Singh and Pratap Gowda Patil — are missing from the Karnataka state Assembly ahead of the crucial trust vote slated for 4 pm. 

The Congress with 78 legislators has blamed BJP for allegedly exerting pressure and luring the duo.

Pratap Gowda Patil was not present in the Assembly when his name was called out for his oath. Sources say the missing lawmakers were at a hotel where attempts are on to bring them around. 

Anand Singh had alleged that he was ‘kidnapped and threatened with criminal cases’.

Karnataka's former energy minister and Congress legislator DK Shivakumar however, said, "They are with us. They are coming. BJP MLA G Somashekara Reddy is also missing."

Former CM Siddaramaiah had alleged that Singh has been abducted and the Enforcement Directorate was being used against them. 

Adding to the chorus, senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily today said, "The MLAs missing and are in captivity. Yeddyurappa has tried another ‘Operation Kamala’ but we are confident."

BJP has strongly rejected Congress party's allegations of bribes and abduction of their legislators. BJP has also denied the purported taped conversation wherein the party leaders are believed to have assured money to Congress legislator BC Patil who is a two time legislator. 

Union minister Sadanand Gowda in a tweet has also denied Congress party's charges. ''Mimicry audio's prepared just to build fake records.''Terror'' comedian at the helm of affairs. Congress party's dirty department is at play,'' he said in his tweet.