Even 'holige oota' didn't do the trick

Soon after BJP national leader Arun Jaitley left Bangalore in the morning, the CM took his supporters to his Race Course residence where the lunch was organised.

The CM’s lunch was seen as a kind of show of strength in the political circles as his rivals-Reddys- have already begun the head count. Reddys are claiming that over 60 MLAs are with them. These MLAs are said to be lodged in a hotel in Goa.

Just around 25 MLAs, including Ministers, were seen at the lunch. Majority of the leaders at the lunch were either BJP MLCs or MPs. It is MLAs who are crucial at this juncture for Yeddyurappa. Prominent among MLAs who were with the CM are Murugesh Nirani, Lakshman Savadi, Govind Karjol, Katta Subramanya Naidu and R Ashok.

These leaders held a meeting till 3.30 pm. The CM left for his Dollar’s Colony residence, while others dispersed. When the CM returned around 5 pm in the evening, not many MLAs were seen accompanying him. The media was barred from entering the residence.