Ranchi: Barely three days after the MLAs of the ruling coalition in Jharkhand boarded buses for a day-out in the state’s Khunti, a batch of Congress-JMM members flew to Raipur amidst fear of poaching by the BJP govt.

Reports suggest that a luxurious hotel in Raipur has been booked for two days and the area has been declared a ‘high-security zone’ as Chief Minister Hemant Soren along with UPA MLAs will stay in Chhattisgarh. Tight security, including a DSP and two inspectors, have been deployed at Mayfair Gold Resort in Raipur, sources said.

“This is not something new. Non-BJP governments duly elected in a democratic manner are being destabilised. This is our strategic move to keep our MLAs together,” a Congress spokesperson said.

The rounding-up exercise started on Saturday, when Mr Soren and 43 MLAs were seen moving bag and baggage to Khunti, around 30 km from Ranchi.