Political parties in Karnataka have collectively spent as much as Rs 49 lakhs just in the last week.
Bengaluru: At a time when the fate of the ruling coalition in the government hangs by a thread, MLAs and MLCs from different parties were holed up in resorts across the city of Bengaluru for at least a week. MyNation estimated the cost of the stay and the extent of holes it has burned in the pockets of people.
It must be noted that the top leaders that form the creamy layer in the parties, were of course left out of resort politics as they control the puppet strings from their respective homes.
This is a rough estimation, based on online rates that are being charged per room, per day.
Congress MLAs were lodged in Vivanta by Taj and the online prices are anywhere between Rs 11,000 per night and Rs 14,000.
Two adults are allowed to stay in room at Vivanta and for 63 or 64 MLAs who are lodged here, (excluding CLP leader Siddaramaiah, trouble shooter DK Shivakumar and Dinesh Gundu Rao, who are expected to stay at their respective homes), 30 odd rooms need to be booked.
The seven-day stay at 30 rooms for about 60 MLAs and MLCs only for the Congress members is estimated at Rs 23,10,000.
16 JD(S) and Congress members who expressed displeasure with the ruling government were ferried to Prestige Golfshire in Devanahalli.
This resort allows two adults per room at a cost of Rs 15,000 per night. For eight days and eight rooms, the cost to stay at this villa is Rs 9,60,000.
Ramada hotel that hosted BJP MLAs and MLCs stood at a price of Rs 8,000. Rooms were booked for eight days for over 100 members. The estimation for BJP members stands at Rs 28,00,000.
When MyNation contacted BJP spokesperson Ashwathnarayana, he said, “The taxpayers’ money should not be wasted, especially on such matters”.
“These are unnecessary things that the coalition is indulging in. When Kumaraswamy returned from the USA, he should have submitted his resignation knowing that he has no numbers. But he hasn’t done so,” stated Ashwathnarayana.
When pointed out that the BJP too has spent quite a sum on holing up MLAs in Ramada hotel, Ashwathnarayana said, “It was because of Dinesh Gundu Rao and Siddaramaiah that the BJP had to keep the flock together in such a way. They had said they would use a reverse operation against the BJP which is why we had to resort to such things.”
Ashwathnarayana further questioned why the chief minister of Karnataka was staying at the Taj West End instead of the government’s residences for him.
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