'Governor Vajubhai Vala misusing his powers': Congress, JD(S) protest Yeddyurappa's swearing-in as Karnataka CM

Barely half an hour after BS Yeddyurappa took oath as the Karnataka Chief Minister for the third time, leaders and workers of JD(S) and Congress protested in and outside the Vidhana Soudha condemning the Governor Vajubhai Kala's decision to invite Yeddyurappa while neglecting their claim despite having numbers. They stepped up attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah, Governor Vajubhai Vala for the hurried manner in which Yeddyurappa was sworn in.

Congress legislators, who are currently camped in the Eagleton resort at the outskirt of Bengaluru, were brought in buses at the Vidhan Soudha to participate in the sit-in dharna at the Mahatma Gandhi statue.

Of the 78 legislators, one legislator Anand Singh was missing at the venue though Congress leader DK Shivakumar clarified that he has been in constant touch with the party. He declined to divulge his where about. Anand Singh is a former Karnataka Minister and two-time MLA from Vijayanagar in Ballari. He quit BJP in January 2018 to join Congress ahead of the Assembly elections this year.

Veteran leaders including former Prime Minister HD  Deve Gowda, the leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha Gulam Nabi Azad, Congress leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge,  Rajasthan's former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, JD(S) CM hopeful HD Kumaraswamy and MPs and legislators from both Congress and JD(S) joined the protest. 

Kumaraswamy, who had alleged yesterday of BJP splurging Rs 100 crore to lure JD(S) legislators and offering them a post of cabinet ministers,  accused the BJP and Modi government at the Centre of misusing institutions of the central government including Enforcement Directorate. He also said that they are threatening the legislators of the Congress and JD(S). 

''The BJP and Union cabinet ministers are trying to purchase the combine’s MLAs. Our party will pay attention to safeguard legislators,'' Kumaraswamy said.  He also accused state governor Vajubhai Vala of misusing his powers in inviting Yeddyurappa to form the government. 

Referring to the Congress legislator Anand Singh, Kumaraswamy said,'' I know they are threatening MLAs. Anand Singh (Congress MLA) told 'they are using ED, I had a case in ED and they are going to screw me. I'm sorry I have to protect my interest.''

Further, the Congress legislator DK Shivakumar told DNA,''I am legislators for 30 years and expecting all vindictive attitude and a lot of problems. Congressmen are well capable to protect themselves.''

He further said Congress, JD(S) and independents were united to protest the '' unconstitutional'' move by the Governor to administer an oath to Yeddyurappa. ''This is tantamount to encouraging the horse trading,'' he feared.

Congress legislator DK Suresh admitted that all legislators except Anand Singh were present at the protest. ''Anand Singh is in clutches of Narendra Modi,'' he noted.

However, BJP legislator B Sriramulu downplayed protest and said Yeddyurappa will certainly prove the majority in the state assembly. He, however, declined to divulge on how BJP will shore up the numbers.