The Congress has separated its ‘gullible’ Gujarat MLAs from the rest, who are currently housed in a Bengaluru resort. The ‘gullible’ MLAs have been accommodated at an isolated resort in Kodagu to prevent them from being poached by the BJP ahead of the Rajya Sabha polls scheduled on August 8.

Party sources revealed that they fear some BJP leaders, who had earlier been in touch with a section of the 43 MLAs , had arrived in the city and were trying to contact these legislators.

Karnataka Energy Minister D K Shivakumar, who is overseeing the 'safe stay' of the MLAs, took the call to shift the ‘gullible’ MLAs to a secure location. Shivakumar is in touch with the central leaders of the party.

The Congress was planning to break the MLAs into smaller groups, but on hearing that a few Gujarat BJP members were in Bengaluru, the plan to shift one group to Virajpet was taken.

Jain pilgrimage The buzz is that a few party faithful will be taken to Jain pilgrimage centres such as Shravanabelogala for a day’s trip. Shravanabelogala is considered the most sacred destination of the Jain community, which has has a significant population in Gujarat.

Keeping the MLA flock together is crucial for the Congress in view of the August 8 Rajya Sabha election in which Ahmed Patel, political advisor of Party president Sonia Gandhi, is seeking a fifth term.

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