Realtor takes JD(S) legislators on Lanka junket

BANGALORE: Realtor D U Mallikarjuna is taking around 40 Janata Dal (Secular) legislators to Sri Lanka on a junket to celebrate his election to the Karnataka legislative council.

He was unanimously elected with the support of JD(S) and BJP MLAs. He needed support of 29 MLAs.

Mallikarjuna, who declared his assets as over Rs 270 crore while filing his nomination papers, has booked 35 rooms each at Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo and the Taj hotel in Bentota. He's reportedly spending around Rs 30 lakh on travel and accommodation for the legislators.

Mallikarjuna said he's accompanying the JD(S) legislators. "I thank former CM HD Kumaraswamy and other JDS MLAs for supporting me," he said.

Kumaraswamy last week said he was taking his MLAs to Colombo to take stock of the recent poll defeat and to strategize to strengthen the party.

Sources close to Mallikarjuna said he had proposed a tour to Brazil to watch the World Cup football, but many were not interested as they do not follow the game. "Some MLAs were ready to go to Brazil to enjoy the football carnival, but the idea was dropped," he said.