Karnataka: Amarinder Singh questions Governor's 'RSS background', Mayawati says 'conspiracy to destroy constitution'

BS Yeddyurappa was sworn in as Chief Minister of Karnataka on Thursday by Vajubhai Vala. BJP leader Yeddyurappa got an invitation from the Governor yesterday to form the government in Karnataka and prove his majority on the floor of the Assembly in 15 days. Congress and JD(S) have accused the Governor of 'acting against the spirit of the constitution' and 'helping BJP form government in the state'. 

Now, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has accused the Governor of taking the command from the Centre because of his RSS background. "The Governor is going against the Constitution. The role of Governor is being dictated by the govt. He was an RSS member and a Cabinet Minister under Modi Saheb in Gujarat. It is obvious that he will listen to the Centre," said Captain Amarinder Singh.

Earlier, against the backdrop of the political developments in Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi today lashed out at the BJP-led government at the Centre, saying Constitution was under "severe attack" in the country where an atmosphere of fear prevailed.

Addressing a 'Jan Swaraj Sammelan' the occasion of the silver jubilee of 73rd and 74th amendment in the Constitution related to local self-governance, Gandhi accused the BJP and the RSS of capturing every democratic institution in the country.

Referring the press conference called by Supreme Court judges on various issues relating to the apex court judiciary earlier this year, Gandhi said, "The judiciary is under fear, the press is under fear and even the BJP's members of Parliament are under the same fear as they cannot speak a single word before the prime minister (Narendra Modi)." "The Constitution is under severe attack in the country. In Karnataka, the MLAs are on one side and the governor on the other," he alleged, adding, "One after another, you can see every democratic institution in the country, like the MPs, MLAs, the press, and the Planning Commission...the RSS is trying to induct its people." The comments came against the backdrop of the dramatic developments that took place in Karnataka after the Assembly election there threw up a hung verdict.

The Bahujan Samaj Party Chief Mayawati has also accused BJP of acting against the constitution. 

"It is a conspiracy to destroy the constitution made by Baba Saheb Ambedkar, since they (BJP) came to power they have been misusing government machinery, thereby attacking democracy," said Mayawati after Yeddyurappa was sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister.

(With agency inputs)