Karnataka elections: Congress, JD(S) MLAs claim that BJP is attempting to poach them

High drama continues to unfold in Karnataka on the second day on Wednesday with a few JD(S) MLAs alleging that the BJP leaders had approached them seeking support to form government.

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

On being asked whether they are aware of the BJPs tactics and if they have any plan to outmanoeuvre them, DK Shivakumar, former minister of energy told reporters that the Congress is prepared.

"They (BJP) are poaching our MLAs, we know that. Every day there is a lot of pressure. But it not so easy because two parties have the necessary number. People are watching this. Yes definitely there is a plan. We have to safeguard our MLAs and they would be moved to a resort, said Shivakumar.

According to the media reports, the Congress is intended to send its MLA's to Eagleton Golf Resort to prevent them from being poached by the BJP. This is the place where the Gujarat MLAs were kept during amit shah- Ahmed Patel RS contest. Notably, it was DK Shivakumar, who kept the mlas there. He is again going to take charge to keep the cong mlas safe from BJP poaching.

Meanwhile, Congress too has accused BJP of poaching its MLA's. Three Congress MLAs, who were earlier said to be incommunicado, were allegedly approached by the BJP to switch sides.

The Congress has said it is planning to move its newly elected Karnataka MLAs to a resort soon.

The JD(S) too will take a similar course of action after the meeting of its legislature party ends. Meanwhile Siddaramaiah denied reports that four of its MLAs were missing. He said the entire party is intact and they are confident of forming the government.

The JD(S) is also mulling approaching the Supreme Court if such a scenario arises.

The Karnataka Assembly election results threw up an unexpected suspense today, as a simple majority tantalisingly eluded BJP and the Congress quickly proclaimed support to third-placed JD(S) to keep the saffron party out of power .

Elections were held for 222 seats on May 12.