Jaipur: As the Maharashtra Assembly’s term ends on November 9 and the standoff between BJP and Shiv Sena continues over government formation, 34 Congress MLAs landed in Congress-ruled Rajasthan where there is a lesser threat of the MLAs being poached.
Speaking on the issue with IANS, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, “We have had to bring the Congress MLAs to Rajasthan as there was a threat of poaching looming large over them. Not only Congress MLAs were being lured but the Shiv Sena who is BJP alliance partner also feels threatened and hence is shifting its MLAs to the resort here too.”
Gehlot also said everyone knows how BJP formed governments in Goa and Manipur.
On Friday night, 11 MLAs had reached Jaipur.
However, on Saturday, more MLAs reached Jaipur in two phases – first came 17 MLAs taking the number to 28 and then came six more which made 34 MLAs in Rajasthan.
While a few MLAs went to Amer Fort the others stayed in Buena Vista resort under strict surveillance. Congress AICC General Secretary Avinash Pandey is at the resort to monitor the MLAs.
On Saturday, Gehlot’s son Vaibhav Gehlot also met these MLAs from Maharashtra.
Buena Vista is a luxury resort with swimming pools outside each room and spa facilities too. As the MLAs enjoy the facilities, there is no mobile phone allowed inside to prevent horsetrading.
The luxury villa boasts of French architecture and is quite highly priced.
Sources said that Jodhpur was falling short of places so the MLAs were shifted to Jaipur. More MLAs are expected to come to Jaipur, they said.
Congress has a tally of 44 MLAs in Maharashtra.
