Bengaluru: Amid attempts by the BJP to lure coalition MLAs to their fold, the Congress and JD (S) did launch a reverse-operation, contacting at least four BJP MLAs before the crucial trust vote, promising them attractive posts and other facilities but failed to win them over.
The legislators whom the two parties reportedly approached include Hosadurga MLA Goolihatti Shekar, Hiriyur MLA K. Poornima Srinivas and Kanakagiri MLA Basavaraj Dadesugur who positively responded to the JD(S) and Congress overtures. Mr Shekar was a minister in the Yeddyurappa government while Ms Srinivas is a first time MLA.
However, the calculations of the two parties went awry when the 15 rebel MLAs refused to turn up in the Assembly while two Congress members landed in hospital becoming unavailable for the trust vote and the two independents and the lone BSP MLA abstained.
It is not clear what specific assurance the two parties gave to the BJP MLAs. However, the state BJP which was reportedly alerted by the central leadership, acted swiftly to keep the flock together, sealing the fate of the coalition.
