Bengaluru: With political tensions rising ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam, around 10–12 legislators belonging to the Indian National Congress have been shifted to Bengaluru amid fears that some lawmakers could cross the floor and join rival parties before the polls.
The MLAs arrived in Bengaluru late on Thursday night from Guwahati and were immediately taken to a private resort located in Bidadi on the outskirts of the city. After landing at Kempegowda International Airport, the legislators were escorted to the resort in a convoy of vehicles under security arrangements.
The group has been accommodated at the Wonderla Resort near Bidadi, where tight security has been deployed around the premises. Police personnel have been stationed around the resort to ensure that the MLAs remain safe and are not approached by outside political operatives.
Leaders of the Karnataka Congress received the visiting legislators upon their arrival. According to party sources, the arrangements were made under the guidance of Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D. K. Shivakumar, who has also been appointed as the Congress observer for Assam.
Congress leaders said the decision to shift the MLAs out of Assam was taken as a precautionary measure to prevent possible floor crossing before the elections. By keeping the legislators together at a secure location away from their home state, the party hopes to maintain unity within its ranks during a politically sensitive period.
The political situation in Assam has become increasingly fluid as the state prepares for Assembly elections expected to be held in May. The Assam Legislative Assembly has a total strength of 126 members, and political parties have already begun stepping up their campaign strategies and candidate selection.
Even before the Election Commission announces the poll schedule, the Congress party has released its first list of 42 candidates. However, the announcement of the candidate list triggered discontent within sections of the party, as some sitting MLAs fear that they might not get tickets to contest the elections. This internal dissatisfaction has raised concerns about the possibility of some leaders switching loyalties.
The concerns intensified recently after former Assam Congress president Bhupen Bora joined the Bharatiya Janata Party along with a few other leaders. His decision to switch sides has created ripples within the Congress camp and heightened apprehensions that more leaders could follow suit ahead of the elections.
Party insiders say that the shifting of MLAs to Bengaluru is intended to ensure that the legislators remain committed to the party and are not influenced by political developments in the state. The move is also aimed at strengthening coordination between the central leadership and the state unit as the elections draw closer.
Political observers point out that D.K. Shivakumar has earned a reputation within the Congress for managing politically sensitive situations and protecting party legislators during turbulent times. His involvement in supervising the stay of Assam MLAs in Bengaluru indicates the seriousness with which the party is handling the situation.
The presence of Assam Congress legislators at a resort near Bengaluru has once again highlighted the increasing use of “resort politics” in Indian electoral battles. As the Assam Assembly elections approach, political manoeuvring is expected to intensify further, with parties making every effort to retain their legislators and maintain their organisational strength.
