Twitter
Advertisement

From Mamata Banerjee to Chandrababu Naidu: How opposition hailed BJP's Karnataka defeat

The three-day-old BJP government in Karnataka collapsed today as Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa quit minutes before he was to face a floor test to prove his contested majority in the hung assembly after which the JD(S)-Congress combine led by the regional party's chief H D Kumaraswamy was invited to take the reins of power.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

The three-day-old BJP government in Karnataka collapsed today as Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa quit minutes before he was to face a floor test to prove his contested majority in the hung assembly after which the JD(S)-Congress combine led by the regional party's chief H D Kumaraswamy was invited to take the reins of power.

Capping five days of riveting political and court-room drama, Yeddyurappa announced his decision to quit on the floor of the Assembly after a brief emotional speech rather than face a vote of confidence he was widely expected to lose.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, HD Kumaraswamy, who became the chief minister for the first time in 2006 at the head of a JD(S)-BJP coalition, said the Governor has given him 15 days to prove the majority, "but we will do it much before".He also thanked the Supreme Court for the "right directions".

A number of leaders of the opposition hailed the BJP's 'loss' in Karnataka and irrepective of political ideologies, came together to hail the decision.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, "Democracy wins. Congratulations Karnataka. Congratulations DeveGowda Ji, Kumaraswamy Ji, Congress and others. Victory of the 'regional' front."

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said the use of money power and state machinery is not always helpful, as she asked the BJP to take lessons from the fall of its government in Karnataka. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also said that with the "defeat" in Karnataka, the BJP's "dream" of capturing every state has suffered a setback.

Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav also lashed out at the BJP after the political developments in Karnataka. “ The BJP must learn a lesson after Yeddyurappa had to resign after he failed to prove majority.” 

"The governors appointed by them are under pressure of working according to the party," she alleged, adding that the dignity of the office they hold is under criticism.

Congress President Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "In the end, India’s voice and democratic spirit will always triumph over tyranny. Satyamev Jayate" , while Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said, "Resignation of BS Yeddyurappa as Karnataka's CM is a true victory for democracy. Entire nation is happy with the current turn of events. As a Chief Minister and a firm believer of democracy, I am expressing my happiness."

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, too, lashed out at the BJP. Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal said, "BJP’s attempts to subvert democracy have miserably failed in Karnataka. BJP's lust for power through foul means stands completely exposed. Will BJP learn any lesson now ? India's judiciary has risen to the occasion and has safeguarded our democracy."

Earlier, the BJP put up a brave face after the resignation with union minister Prakash Javadekar saying the party knows how to "respect democracy" while the Congress, the AAP and other opposition parties said the saffron party's attempt to "subvert democracy" failed miserably. Javadekar also said the Congress was treating an electoral defeat as victory.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar claimed that the new government would not last long as it was an "unholy nexus." The Congress, which finished second with 78 seats, moved swiftly and stitched an alliance with the 37-member JD(S), and even backed its leader H D Kumaraswamy for chief ministership, plunging the state into a welter of confusion, with accusations of bribery and poaching flying thick and fast. The newly formed alliance has claimed support of 117 MLAs in the 224-member House with an effective strength of 221.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement