The 44 Gujarat Congress MlAs, who are holed up in Bengaluru fearing poaching by the BJP ahead of crucial Rajyasabha polls, have on Monday learnt a lesson or two on 60 years of Congress. The lawmakers who are put up in a highly fortified resort on the outskirts protected by Karnataka Congress and its Power Minister DK Shivakumar have started learning about party’s achievements in the last 60 years and “BJP lies and truth” among others topics.
They will attend classes everyday till they leave for Gujarat probably day before the elections contested by Ahmed Patel, a close aide of Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
“Dr Suresh Sharma and Naushad Paramar of Jawaharalal Nehru leadership institute, New Delhi will conduct classes on various issues to Congress legislators from Gujarat who are camping at Bengaluru for three days starting from today,” Karnataka Minister DK Shivakumar who is overseeing the arrangements to keep the flock together in a statement said.
“They will (be) taught on- what the Congress achieved in 60 years, truth on corruption in UPA Government, BJP lies and truth, team work (play and understand), media truths and social media transparency and accountability,” it said.
This move of holding classes comes at a time when reports have emerged that a few MlAs from flood-hit constituencies of the State had expressed their intention to go back, worried about the public opinion going against them.
Earlier, the itinerary during their stay included visit to some tourist spots and religious places, which drew criticism as MlAs were accused of “abandoning” voters when their constituencies were facing nature’s fury. Whether the MlAs will be touring or not is still unclear.
Six of the 57 Congress MlAs in Gujarat, from where senior party leader Ahmed Patel is contesting for the Rajya Sabha, have resigned from the party in the last few days with three joining the BJP on Friday. The party has apprehensions about Patel’s election to the RS, if more MlAs defect. BJP national president Amit Shah and union Minister Smriti Irani are contesting crucial elections from Gujarat.