Just in: BJP will be sending 102 Karnataka MLAs to a resort in Gurugram over fears they will be poached by the JDS-Congress. Remember, Gurugram, which is in Haryana is a BJP-ruled state.


This comes amid reports that the BJP is making fresh attempts to topple the JD(S)-Congress government in Karnataka through what is being called 'Operation Kamal'.


Reports say that plans are afoot to poach disgruntled Congress MLAs and if all goes according to plan, the state will have a new government after Makar Sankranti. The festival is being celebrated today.


Congress trouble-shooter and Karnataka minister DK Shivakumar had alleged on Sunday that three of its MLAs had been whisked away by the BJP to Mumbai and are now untraceable. The MLAs have been located at a Mumbai hotel, but


Congress sources claim that the party has foiled at least half a dozen similar attempts by the BJP since forming the government last year. They say BJP is using Congress MLA Ramesh Jharkiholi, who was dropped from the cabinet, to mobilise support.


Sources say Jharkiholi is trying to get at least 10 Congress MLAs on his side, but he has been able to get just two so far. One more MLA, Umesh Jadhav from Gulbarga, is also allegedly planning to switch sides, said sources.

Confirming these developments, DK Shivakumar said the BJP was making a desperate attempt to topple the government.


Former Karnataka CM and BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa, however, rubbished the reports. "There is no truth to all these rumours (of reports of three Congress MLAs in touch with BJP). This is between Congress and JDS. We are not in touch with any of their MLAs. We are only focused on keeping our MLAs energised."


Image: Former Karnataka CM and BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa