The focus of Karnataka politics has shifted to Hyderabad, with the newly-elected legislators of the Congress and Janata Dal (S) arriving in the Telangana capital on Friday morning.

With the Yeddyurappa government withdrawing police security at Eagleton resorts near Bengaluru, the two parties decided to airlift their MLAs to a safe destination in Kochi. But after their efforts to fly to Kochi were reportedly thwarted by the Civil Aviation Ministry, the two parties decided to set up 'camp' with their legislators in Hyderabad.

As many as 74 MLAs of the Congress party and 38 JD (S) MLAs have reached the city in special buses and have been housed at a few star hotels. Telangana Police have swung into action and provided strict security at the hotels.

While the BJP won 104 seats, the Congress secured 78 and JD(S) got 38 seats, resulting in a hung Assembly. With the BJP falling short of a simple majority (112), the Congress and JD(S), which have formed a post-poll alliance, have expressed apprehensions that their MLAs might be poached by the BJP. It is, however, not clear how long the MLAs will stay in Hyderabad.

B S Yeddyurappa had taken oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka for the third time on Thursday. But Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to invite him to form the government sparked protests by the Congress and JD (S). The Congress party moved the Supreme Court to stall the Governor's decision.

Justices A K Sikri, S A Bobde and Ashok Bhushan who heard the Congress and JD (S) petitions on Wednesday night, refused to stay the Governor’s invitation to Yeddyurappa. They, however, said his swearing-in would be subject to judgement on the issue.

Soon after taking over, Yeddyurappa announced the transfer of key police officials. The government also decided to remove security cover at Eagleton resort where the Congress and JD (S) MLAs were housed. Apprehending searches by the police, the two parties had decided to shift their legislators to a resort in Kerala.

 

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