Bengaluru: Cong parades 44 Gujarat MLAs before media, says BJP threatening them

BENGALURU: The Congress paraded its 44 legislators from Gujarat before the media on Sunday while accusing the BJP of horse trading and threatening its MLAs with dire consequences. Addressing a press conference, Congress leader from Gujarat Shaktisinh Gohil said, "Ask these MLAs the way they are threatened, they chose to stand by party even when offered Rs 15 crore." He said BJP is doing horse-trading and we are trying to protect the democracy. "BJP is hitting below the belt; we are fighting to protect democracy. We have required numbers. There is no need for us to stay here (Bengaluru) for even a minute if they (BJP) say, they won't threaten," Gohil said. The Congress had sent the 44 legislators to the resort to fend off "poaching" attempts by BJP ahead of August 8 Rajya Sabha polls in Gujarat. Hitting back at the BJP, the Congress leader further said, "When there was flood in Banaskantha, my MLAs were there with people but no BJP minister, leader or chief minister was there." Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani had accused the Congress party of being insensitive and irresponsible, and said that they have sent their 40 MLAs to stay in a 5-star hotel in Bengaluru, while Gujarat is facing floods. Gohil further said that they have also managed to establish contact with seven Congress MLAs, who were reportedly inaccessible. "Seven MLAs (Member of Legislative Assembly) are in our contact, their conscience is awakening. We have requested them not to come in people's tricky ways, stick to the party," Gohil Said. The party has sent 44 of its legislators to a resort outside this city. Of the 57 Congress MLAs in Gujarat, six resigned from the party in the last two days. Three of them joined the BJP. BJP has fielded party president Amit Shah, Union minister Smriti Irani and former Congress MLA Balwantsinh Rajput who joined the BJP on Thursday. Of the total of 11 RS members from the state, the term of three--Smriti Irani and Dilipbhai Pandya (both BJP) and Ahmed Patel-- will end on August 18. (With input from agencies)