No time to relax for Congress, JD(S) MLAs

Bengaluru:  With dramatic developments unfolding in Karnataka after the State threw up a fractured mandate, there has been no time to relax for Congress and JD(S) MLAs, who soon after the results had to travel to Bengaluru to be present at the CLP meeting next day, and the same evening were shifted to Eagleton Resort and Hotel Shangri-La with allegations of horse-trading doing the rounds.

Now they have been shifted to Hyderabad and are lodged in Hyatt Regency, Taj Krishna and Novotel Hotel. With the Supreme Court asking Chief Minister Yeddyurappa to prove majority on the floor of the House tomorrow at 4 pm, they have to rush back to Bengaluru.

Sources said that the Assembly session will be convened tomorrow at 11 am and Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala may announce the appointment of Pro-tem Speaker and it will be followed by administering oath to newly-elected MLAs. Senior Congress leader R.V. Deshpande and BJP leader and former Minister Vishveshwar Hegde Kageri’s names are floating for appointment as the Pro-tem Speaker.

As the session will begin at 11 am, the Congress and JD(S) MLAs must reach Bengaluru by then. Sources said that arrangements are being made for the MLAs to travel by special plane or by bus. Many MLAs are complaining of fatigue and are not ready to travel for another eight hours by bus, sources said.

Many MLAs are yet to catch up on lost sleep and thanks to growing tension, they are hooked to televisions and smartphones watching news and calling their families.

This post was published on May 18, 2018 6:42 pm