The ruling Congress in Karnataka has decided to check in all its MLAs together at a hotel in Bengaluru ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls. The move has been aimed at keeping the "flock together", according to the Congress leader. On Monday, after the conclusion of the budget session in the state legislature, all the MLAs are expected to check in at a hotel and are also expected to travel together for the voting on Tuesday.
Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who also serves as the state Congress President, disclosed on Friday the details regarding the upcoming biennial election to fill four vacancies from Karnataka in the Rajya Sabha by elected MLAs on February 27.
"We have to be careful....all the MLAs will be staying together at the hotel, we will be coming together to vote (to Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday). We have extra votes. We will do whatever is necessary to secure our party. Others are also in touch with us. I don't want to disclose it," he said, as per a report on PTI. The Deputy CM also said that mock voting drill would also be held.
On Monday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also convened a Congress legislature party meeting at 3:30 PM with AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala and party treasurer Ajay Maken slated to attend it.
Arrangements have been made to transport all MLAs from their hotel to the Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the state legislature and secretariat, via bus for the voting process on Tuesday, as per party sources.
Eight party leaders, including two Ministers, have been tasked with coordinating with MLAs. The Rajya Sabha election landscape in Karnataka has intensified with the BJP-JD(S) alliance nominating a second candidate, despite having the capacity to secure only one of the four seats.