BJP MLAs being kept in 'confinement' at Gurugram hotel, alleges K'taka CM

Bengaluru: Hitting out at the BJP for making "futile attempts" to destabilise his government, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Thursday accused the saffron party of keeping its MLAs in "confinement" at a hotel in Gurugram.

Grappling with the political turmoil triggered by reports that the BJP was luring Congress MLAs, Kumaraswamy rejected a charge by the saffron party that he was trying to poach their lawmakers.

"Some people tried to misuse you (the media) in spreading a feeling that on January 15 there would be some-kranthi (revolution).I feel instead of doing some-kranthi they have done some-branti (illusion) to themselves," Kumaraswamy said.

Kumaraswamy was referring to reports about alleged claims in BJP that there would be "some kranthi (revolution)" by 'Sankranthi' on January 15, the festival of harvests in Karnataka, to suggest that the government would fall.

Speaking to reporters here, Kumaraswamy said BJP state president Yeddyurappa making repeated claims that Congress-JD(S) leaders, especially the Chief Minister, was luringhis party MLAs, was "surprising" for him.

"They are making all kinds of futile attempts (to destabilise the government)...," he said.

The ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition and BJP have accused each other of trying to lure the MLAs.

Hitting out at Yeddyurappa for criticising his foreignvisit along with family on New Year's eve when the state was reeling under drought, Kumaraswamy asked the BJP president about his party MLAs now spending time at a five star hotel.

Yeddyurappa had spoken with anger asthough only he was concerned about the farmers and difficulties of the people, he said.

"Is Yeddyurappa and party taking stock of the drought situation in Gurugram, sitting at the hotel? Has the situation in Karnataka improved now?" he asked.