Install recording apps, Congress tells its MLAs amidst poaching fears

Two missing MLAs and the undecided independent candidates are giving the Congress and JD(S) the jitters. Congress MLAs, Anand Singh and Pratap Gowda Patil were not on the bus that ferried the legislators to a resort.

Although the Congress has claimed that its entire flock of 78 is together, sources say that the two MLAs have not been reachable. H D Kumaraswamy of the JD(S) even said that Singh was under pressure from the BJP.

The Congress on the other hand has urged all its MLAs to install recording applications on their mobile phones. The party wants proof to hurl before the public in case of BJP leaders contacting its MLAs over phone.

The BJP on the other hand says that like minded MLAs will back it in the floor test. Sources say that there are at least 8 MLAs who are likely to back the BJP. They are being reached out in several ways which include family members, personal assistants and also their personal security guards.

Patil has given mixed signals since Thursday morning. He was present during the headcount in the morning, but by evening had vanished. Independent MLA, R Shankar too has kept everyone guessing. Since Tuesday when the election results were declared, he has moved to the Congress and BJP at least thrice.