BS Yeddyurappa has been sworn in as the 23rd Chief Minister of Karnataka for the second term on May 17.
75-year-old Yeddyurappa was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Vajubhai Vala at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan. He has to prove his majority in the next 15 days.
After BJP and Congress JD(S) alliance showed no signs of compromising on forming a government in Karnataka, state Governor Vajubhai Vala invited Yeddyurappa to form the government.
The BJP came to power with only 104 seats in the 224 seat assembly.
On midnight of May 16, the Supreme Court heard a joint petition by the Congress and JD(S) challenging state governor’s decision inviting Yeddyurappa to form a new government in the state despite not having the majority.
Following the governor’s announcement, senior Congress leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot, Mallikarjuna Kharge, K C Venugopal and MLAs staged a protest against Yeddyurappa’s swearing-in as chief minister. They were reportedly joined by JD(S) leaders.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi strongly condemned BJP’s “irrational insistence” to form a government even without having enough numbers.
“BJP celebrating its hollow victory in the southern state, the nation as a whole will mourn the defeat of democracy,” said Gandhi.
“Today constitution is being attacked. In Karnataka on one side there are MLAs standing and on the other side the Governor. JDS has said its MLAs have been offered Rs 100 crore each,” he added.
According to reports, Congress has shifted its MLAs to the Eagleton resort in Bidadi, 40 kilometres away from Bengaluru.
