Former Karnataka chief minister and JD(S) chief H D Kumaraswamy, who is staking claim to form the next government in Karnataka with the help of his foe-turned-friend the Congress, arrived this evening in Hyderabad, where his newly-elected MLAs are being sheltered in a star hotel.
Both the JD(S) and the Congress have shifted their MLAs from Bengaluru to Hyderabad to protect them from getting poached by the BJP. The JD(S), which has a 38-member strength in the new Assembly, has lodged its MLAs in Novotel in Hitec City. Though the exact number of MLAs lodged in the hotel is not clear, speculation is rife that only 35 are here in the city.
Kumaraswamy took a special flight and landed in Hyderabad today, and went straight to Novotel and addressed his party MLAs to impress upon them the need to ensure that they all stay with the party and not fall prey to any attempts of the BJP camp to poach them.
The JD(S) MLAs are also expected to leave tonight for Bengaluru to be in time for the special session of the Assembly at 11 am when the newly elected members will be sworn in, before the floor test at 4 pm.