The 42 Gujarat MLAs holed up at a private resort in Bengaluru have been busy attending classes. On Monday, the subjects covered included ‘Governance’ and how to handle their relationship with the public. On Tuesday, the fourth day of their forced exile from Gujarat, the focus was on the party’s history and achievements.
The classes are being conducted by a team of trainers from the Delhi-based Jawaharlal Nehru Leadership Institute (JNLI). The legislators are staying at Eagleton Golf Resort on the outskirts of the city.
According to sources, the legislators were tutored on the Congress’ achievements in the past 60 years, the “true facts” about the allegations of corruption against the UPA government, and on ways to counter the BJP’s “false claims” about its performance. There were also lessons on transparency, accountability, and party unity.
Also covered in the “orientation” was the tricky question pertaining to their current situation. “Once they return to their State, they will have to explain why they were away at a time when the State was hit by floods. The orientation by the JNLI experts covered this aspect as well,” a source said, adding, “These sessions will go on for two more days.”
Tour put on hold
With the Karnataka Energy Minister D.K. Shivakumar away in Delhi for the NITI Aayog meeting, the legislators’ plans to go sightseeing have been put on hold. Sources said the legislators wanted to visit the Vidhana Soudha and also meet Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala, as they had built a good rapport with him when he was the Speaker of the Gujarat Assembly. The Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president is likely to visit the MLAs on Wednesday.
The Congress had presented the MLAs before the media on Sunday to “prove” that they were united and to end speculation about bickering. The party had flown the MLAs to Bengaluru to keep its flock together ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections in Gujarat on August 8.
