High drama as Shivakumar stopped from entering hotel where rebel MLAs are staying

Karnataka minister D K Shivakumar was on Wednesday prevented from entering the hotel where rebel MLAs from the state were staying, but insisted on meeting them in a desperate bid to pull the Congress-JD(S) government from the brink of collapse.

Politics is an art of the possibility and he should be allowed to go into the room he had booked earlier, the senior Congress leader said as he stood on vigil outside the Renaissance Hotel in Powai that has become the centrepiece of the deepening political crisis in Karnataka.

There was high drama as security personnel, camera crews, media personnel and political supporters jostled with each other outside the luxury hotel. Another group shouted slogans such as "Shivakumar go back".

As the showdown intensified, an e-mail from the hotel to a Ms Hetavi revealed a room had been booked but the reservation was cancelled due to "some emergency".

"As per our conversation we wish to inform you that we have reservation in the name of DK Shivakumar:REZ775665D2. Due to some emergency in the hotel we need to cancel the reservation. No charges will be applicable," the e-mail reads.

Ten of the 12 MLAs in the hotel have written to Mumbai Police, saying they feared a threat to their lives and Shivakumar should be prevented from entering the hotel.

"We have received a letter from the rebel MLAs," a senior police official said.

Refusing to budge, Shivakumar, the Congress' troubleshooter who was accompanied by senior JD(S) MLAs, said he he will not leave without meeting the MLAs.

"I only have a heart that I have come to extend to my friends...politics is an art of possibility," he said.

Shivakumar told reporters he had booked a room in the hotel but was not being permitted inside.

He added that the police was telling him no room was booked in his name, but insisted he had done so.

"I am not afraid of slogans against me... not being permitted inside because of security threat. I have a lot of respect for the Maharashtra government. I don't have weapons," he said.

He wondered how his presence could possibly be a threat to the rebel legislators.

"How can I be a threat to the MLAs. We are friends. If the BJP is not involved, why so many policemen are here. I have a heart, and no weapons," he said.

On his arrival, Shivakumar said, "Let the Mumbai Police or any other force be deployed. We have come to meet our friends. We are born together in politics and will die together."