Congress MLAs moved to resort after 4 'rebels' skip meeting

NEW DELHI: Facing rebellion from some lawmakers, the Congress in Karnataka shifted all its MLAs to a resort on Friday evening. The party took the decision immediately after the CLP meeting, which was skipped by 4 'rebel' MLAs.

The CLP meeting, which was supposed to be a show of strength, ended up leaving the party in a spot of bother as 4 MLAs skipped the crucial meeting ignoring strong warnings by former chief minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah.

While the absence of four lawmakers posed no imminent threat to the seven-month old Congress-JDS government headed by H D Kumaraswamy, but it did suggest that all was not well within the Congress which has been hit by dissidence.

Congress will issue notices to four MLAs seeking explanation from them for their absence from the Congress Legislature Party meeting, CLP leader Siddaramaiah said. Briefing reporters after the CLP meet, Siddaramaiah said after receiving the replies from the absentee lawmakers, the issue would be discussed with the party high command and state leaders before deciding on the next step. See P5