BJP MLAs being kept in "confinement" at Gurugram hotel, alleges Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru, Jan 17: Hitting out at the BJP for making "futile attempts" to destabilise his government, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy Thursday accused the saffron party of keeping its MLAs in "confinement" at a hotel in Gurugram.
Grappling with the political turmoil triggered by reports that the BJP was luring Congress MLAs, Kumaraswamy rejected a charge by the saffron party that he was trying to poach their lawmakers.
"Some people tried to misuse you (the media) in spreading a feeling that on January 15 there would be some-kranthi (revolution).I feel instead of doing some-kranthi they have done some-branti (illusion) to themselves," Kumaraswamy said.
Kumaraswamy was referring to reports about alleged claims in BJP that there would be "some kranthi (revolution)" by 'Sankranthi' on January 15, the festival of harvests in Karnataka, to suggest that the government would fall.
Speaking to reporters here, Kumaraswamy said BJP state president Yeddyurappa making repeated claims that Congress-JD(S) leaders, especially the Chief Minister, was luringhis party MLAs, was "surprising" for him.
"They are making all kinds of futile attempts (to destabilise the government)...," he said.
The ruling Congress-JD(S) coalition and BJP have accused each other of trying to lure the MLAs.
Hitting out at Yeddyurappa for criticising his foreign visit along with family on New Year's eve when the state was reeling under drought, Kumaraswamy asked the BJP president about his party MLAs now spending time at a five star hotel.
Yeddyurappa had spoken with anger although only he was concerned about the farmers and difficulties of the people, he said.
"Is Yeddyurappa and party taking stock of the drought situation in Gurugram, sitting at the hotel? Has the situation in Karnataka improved now?" he asked.
The Chief Minister flayed Yeddyurappa for allegedly confining BJP MLAs at a hotel, while pointing out that the ruling coalition legislators were free.
"I am surprised when you (Yeddyurappa) criticise the Congress and JD(S) for their inability to keep MLAs together..but, you have kept your MLAs in confinement at a hotel, are there differences between you and your MLAs?
We have not kept any of our MLAs in confinement, we have left them free," Kumaraswamy said.
"You (BJP) are doing everything (trying to poach MLAs), but now blaming us, if you feel that people will accept whatever you say, you are wrong. People will give answer to BJP leaders at the right time," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
