Allegation of bribery charge, horse-trading, phone tapping, MLAs huddled together in buses ready to be taken to resorts near Bengaluru, frenzied jockeying for power in Karnataka a day after the state's voters delivered a fractured mandate.

BJP's BS Yeddyurappa hit the ground running on Wednesday morning as he met the governor to stake his claim to form the government.

Later in the day, HD Kumaraswamy of the JD(S) also met the governor to stake his claim to form the government.

The BJP has 104 MLAs, which is 8 short of the majority, while the Congress and the JD(S) claimed to have the support of 117 MLAs which will give them a clear majority.

Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy dropped a bombshell by saying that the BJP got in touch with him and offered Rs 100 crore for each of their 37 MLAs.

The BJP refuted the allegation and said it is "baseless" and "imaginary".

Kumaraswamy also warned the BJP against horse-trading.

"We have the power to poach twice the number of BJP MLAs," he said.

As the politicians engage in mudslinging, there are also reports that all parties are scrambling to keep their flock together.

Amidst all this drama, the governor is weighing his options, but it's hard not to ask a basic question, is the Karnataka voter getting short-changed in this high-voltage political drama?

CNBC-TV18 caught up with experts to discuss the political situation in Karnataka.

First Published:May 16, 2018 8:26 PM IST