A SHORT JOURNEY: President of Bharatiya Janata Party State unit D.V. Sadananda Gowda (right), Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa (second from right) and party MLAs preparing to leave for a resort, in Bangalore on Wednesday. — Photo: V. Sre enivasa Murthy

BANGALORE: On the eve of the elections to the Legislative Council from the Legislative Assembly, the Bharatiya Janata Party issued a whip to its MLAs to ensure the victory of Amarnath Shetty, the candidate fielded by its coalition partner, the Janata Dal (Secular), for a fourth seat, against Legislative Council Chairman V.R. Sudarshan.

BJP State unit president D.V. Sadananda Gowda said that since Thursday's elections would be conducted by secret ballot, the party MLAs would be told, prior to voting, about the candidate in whose favour they should vote.

The BJP has 80 votes, including that of Shiggaon MLA Sindhura Rajashekhar, an independent associated with the party.

After ensuring the victory of its candidates Vimala Gowda, D.S. Veeraiah, Thontadarya and Janardhana Reddy, the extra votes will have to be cast in favour of Mr. Amarnath Shetty, the BJP has decided.

Meanwhile, in view of the probability of "horse-trading" or "cross-voting", the BJP has decided to leave nothing to chance in ensuring the success of Mr. Amarnath Shetty, and prove itself to be a loyal coalition partner. The BJP took most of its MLAs to a resort on the outskirts of Bangalore. At least 55 MLAs are staying there, and they will return to the city on Thursday morning in time to cast their votes.

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj C.M. Udasi, who is in Singapore, was expected to make it back to Bangalore in time for the election. Raghupathy Bhat, MLA, was held up in Udupi because of heavy rain but was expected to reach here in time.

Party sources said the MLAs who had not gone to the resort would arrive in time for voting. Party leaders know their whereabouts in case anyone was delayed. Former BJP president M. Venkaiah Naidu and general secretary H.N. Ananth Kumar were here to oversee arrangements, sources said.

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