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For, the BJP and the JD(S), on Wednesday, literally locked their MLAs in to prevent them from switching over their loyalty, a day ahead of the crucial second trust vote.
The fear of legislators switching loyalty was palpable in the JD(S) following Varthur Prakash, an independent MLA identified with the party, hopping over to the BJP. Prakash’s decision came as a rude shock to the JD(S) as he actively involved himself in organising rebellion against the ruling party. He had been staying with the JD(S) MLAs in a private resort near Bidadi off Bangalore-Mysore road.
When the JD(S) leaders were anxiously awaiting the Karnataka High Court order on a petition seeking interim order on the MLAs’ disqualification issue, Prakash silently left the resort after entering into an understanding with the Reddy brothers, sources said. As the JD(S) leaders learnt about Prakash’s U-turn, they directed all the MLAs (in their camp) to switch off their mobile phones and to remain incommunicado through the day. Sources said the BJP had almost succeeded in wooing back its rebel MLA Manappa Vajjal, who was staying with the JD(S) MLAs. But the JD(S) leaders spiked the ruling party’s efforts in this regard as they learnt about it.
The party, sources said, has deployed a large number of the party workers at the resort to keep vigil on all MLAs. The JD(S) also issued a whip to all its MLAs to participate in the trust vote. Similar was the scene in the BJP camp. The party has kept its MLAs in a resort near Nelamangala off Tumkur road. They were neither allowed to go out for a walk nor allowed to meet visitors.
Party sources said, the legislators went through anxious moments when the news broke that the High Court had taken up the plea of the five disqualified independent MLAs seeking early hearing on their petition. The Congress legislators were, however, free birds.