Wary Cong keeps Guj MLAs at Karnataka resort after desertions

After its six MLAs deserted ahead of Rajya Sabha polls, a wary Congress has lodged its 44 Gujarat legislators at a private resort on the outskirts of Bangalore, saying it is "protecting" them from the BJP's "hooliganism".

Ashok Gehlot, the Congress' general secretary in-charge for Gujarat, defended the party's action and repeated the allegations that the BJP was using money, muscle and state power to force party MLAs in Gujarat to quit.

"They (MLAs) were picked up, harassed, threatened and forced to quit. The way the state machinery, the police are being misused (in Gujarat), why can't we then bring them at one place to protect them from the hooliganism and anti-social activities there," he said.

Bengaluru Rural MP D K Suresh, who is overseeing the arrangements, however, said that the leaders from Gujarat "have come to our state for rest and tourist purpose and we are stationed here to facilitate it".

The MLAs wish to visit some tourist destinations and religious places, he said, adding "they want to seek the Almighty's blessing to save Gujarat and democracy." Police personnel have been deployed around the resort for security.

The Congress is keen to fend off alleged "poaching" attempts by the BJP ahead of the August 8 Rajya Sabha polls in Gujarat.

Though there is no clarity about exact number of MLAs at the resort, Gujarat Congress General secretary Nishit Vyas, who is with the legislators here, earlier today told

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)