Shivakumar detained after he refuses to leave Mumbai hotel, Ghulam Nabi Azad detained in Bengaluru

Congress leader DK Shivakumar was detained by the Mumbai Police after he refused to move away from the Mumbai hotel where the rebel Karnataka MLAs are stationed.

Former Union minister Milind Deora and former Maharashtra minister Naseem Khan, who had arrived to meet Shivakumar, were also detained, an official said.

DK Shivakumar and other Congress leaders who were detained are being taken to Kalina University rest house.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Dinesh Gundu Rao and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad were also detained in Karnataka.

Shivakumar was almost pulled out by police while he was being interviewed by a TV channel. The three leaders were taken to the BKC police guest house, an official said.

He was denied entry into the Mumbai hotel where Congress MLAs are lodged as they alleged a threat to their life from him and sought police protection. The police imposed Section 144 around Wednesday noon, prohibiting the assembly of more than four people, in Powai.

After he was denied entry despite having a booking, the Karnataka minister refused to budge from outside Hotel Renaissance and was detained by Mumbai Police.

Shivakumar was prevented from entering the hotel, prompting him to announce that he won't leave the spot till he gets to meet the legislators, in a bid to save the Congress-JD(S) government in the southern state.

After reaching the hotel at 8.20 am, Shivakumar, who landed here early Wednesday morning, was stopped by police from entering the hotel. His plea that he had a valid reservation in the hotel fell flat on the police officials' ears.

They told him the legislators staying the hotel had written to Mumbai Police chief saying they feared threat to their life due to his arrival there.