Like hostages, Sasikala's resort MLAs kept with no phones or TVs

It is a scene straight out of a film script, and perhaps it would even be funny if it wasn't so strange. 

Where, exactly, are the 90-plus elected representatives of the Tamil Nadu state Assembly and members of the AIADMK party? As was revealed by the media, including us, they are reportedly in the Golden Bay Resorts, on ECR in Chennai. 

They have sat in the resort for the past two days, after allegedly being herded into luxury buses and transported there wholesale by Sasikala's supporters, to prevent them from shifting to O Panneerselvam's camp. While these allegations, naturally cannot be proven, the events around the entire resort have been extraordinary. 

To begin with, sources have told informed the media that no one is allowed in or out of the resort. Allegedly only the driver can leave - and that is only to buy groceries so food may be cooked. 

When Asianet Newsable tried to approach the resort, we discovered that the road to the place was blocked by a variety of men. Other reports in the media confirmed the same, and many journalists were told that no one would be allowed into the place. 

The MLAs, reportedly, have been stuck at the resort with no access to the outside world. Phones have been blocked, and television sets have bee disconnected. Sources told the media that this had annoyed the MLAs quite a bit since they have not even carried a change of clothes with them. A few of them are believed to currently be on hunger strike, in a bid to improve the situation. 

There is no confirmation on who exactly are keeping the MLAs inside the resort, though sources say they cannot simply get up and leave. 

This move, which is already quite bizarre, has nearly descended into a farce thanks to a habeas corpus petition filed by interested parties in the Madras High Court, demanding that the MLAs be produced before the court. The government lawyers argued that the MLAs were not held hostage anywhere and were free to go anywhere they wanted. The lawyers made the bold claim that they were in the MLA hostel in Chepauk. 

Naturally, reporters paid a quick visit to the hostel. As reported by Times Now, the hostel was mostly empty and the rooms that were occupied held AIADMK supporters. The actual MLAs could not be found. 

Meanwhile, more sources indicate the resort on ECR, which does have a pool, alcohol and scenic setting, is being used to keep the MLAs mentally in line, in preparation for the floor test. 

Whether all of this will work is still unknown, though one wonders how someone's loyalty is supposed to increase if they are taken hostage? 
 

• Sasikala
• Tamil Nadu