Karnataka MLAs inside, media posse outside Mumbai luxury hotel

Attempts by mediapersons to sneak in a luxury hotel where some Congress MLAs from Karnataka were staying proved futile, amid talk of BJP's 'Operation Lotus' to topple the coalition government in the neighbouring state.

Security was beefed up at the five-star resort in suburban Mumbai where two independent MLAs and reportedly four Congress MLAs from Karnataka are staying.

The Congress suspects that some of its MLAs are lodged in the Powai-based hotel, kept secretly by BJP leaders.

Many journalists and Congress workers were seen in the vicinity of the hotel, searching for the "missing" Congress MLAs.

There was a large media presence outside the hotel Tuesday after the two independent MLAs announced they were withdrawing support to the Congress-JDS coalition government in Karnataka.

Earlier Tuesday, some mediapersons managed to sneek in the hotel but could not progress beyond the hotel lobby.

The hotel security and local police were at the main gate to monitor those entering the premises.

There were speculations that Karnataka Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar may visit the hotel but that did not materialise. '