Karnataka Floor Test: How Oppn managed to keep its flock safe together

Congress and JD(S) leaders in Bengaluru raced against time on Thursday to ensure the elected MLAs are kept together and safe.

As the MLAs reached Hyderabad by road in the morning, after a dramatic night that saw the denial of aviation clearance, the SC decision to have a floor test at 4 pm Saturday added to the worry of both parties, as they will have to bring the MLAs back to Bengaluru well on time.

The plan at the Congress-JD(S) camp is to bring the MLAs back to Bengaluru through the night, and take them to Eagleton Hotel in Bidadi, where they will get ready for the floor test. Late Friday evening, Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and JD(S)’s Kumaraswamy gave the MLAs a pep talk.

The man entrusted with the responsibility of organising and monitoring every last move through this 48-hour drama is former minister DK Shivakumar, who had proved his mettle during the Gujarat Rajya Sabha polls, when he managed to keep 45 Congress MLAs ‘safe’ at Eagleton resort.

The party had earlier decided to head to Kochi with its MLAs, but leaders say that when two chartered planes were denied permission to fly, they scouted for more options. While one option was Puducherry, the leaders decided that heading to Hyderabad was the best option.

JD(S) leaders made calls to K Chandrasekhar Rao, who promised his support.

MOBILE USAGE RESTRICTED: JD(S) LEADER

• A JD(S) leader told DNA sometime before the MLAs left B’lore that their mobile usage has been restricted.
   
• He said some MLAs were also worried about intimidation from BJP, and hence the decision.