JD (S)' plan to thwart MLA poaching: Send them to a resort in Kerala

Some Congress and JD (S) MLAs have openly claimed that the BJP has been trying to contact them with offers of a cabinet berth.

Fearing that the BJP might try poaching their MLAs to form the government in Karnataka, the JD (S) has reportedly decided to send its MLAs to a resort in Kerala. The situation is such that even if a handful, seven to be precise, of MLAs jump over to the BJP, then the saffron party would be able form the government.

Whenever there is a hung assembly post elections, talks of 'horse trading' and 'MLA poaching' start doing rounds. Now that the political situation is precariously poised in Karnataka, there are talks that the BJP may approach the JD (S) and Congress MLAs, and cajole them to switch sides.

Some Congress and JD (S) MLAs have openly claimed that the BJP has been trying to contact them with offers of a cabinet berth.

"I got a call from the BJP leaders. They said come to us and we will give a ministry to you. We will make you a minister. But, I'm going to stay here. HD Kumaraswamy is our Chief Minister," Congress MLA Linganagouda Patil told news agency ANI earlier today.

"I don't know what they (BJP) are offering but they are trying to call our people, but they are not responding. We are all together, no one can touch our party. Our party MLAs are loyal to the party," ANI quoted JD (S) leader Sarvana as saying.

Meanwhile, HD Kumaraswamy has warned the BJP against 'MLA poaching' ploy, adding , "If you try to poach our MLAs, we will do the same and take double from you."

Interestingly, Kerala Tourism took to their Twitter to invite the MLAs to de-stress after all the election tiredness by saying, "After the rough and tumble of the #KarnatakVerdict, we invite all the MLAs to unwind at the safe and beautiful resorts of God's Own Country. #ComeOutAndPlay"

The post came just hours after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asked the JD(S) and the Congress to form the government. Karnataka election results show BJP falls short of 112 majority mark despite being the single largest party. In its attempt to form a government, Congress agreed to back a JDS-led coalition with HD Kumaraswamy as chief minister.