Congress and JD(S) slam govt formation by B S Yeddyurappa

Bengaluru: The Congress and JD(S) Friday severely criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party and the 'BJP backed Governor' for allowing B S Yeddyurappa to form the government in Karnataka through "unconstitutional means", charging that parliamentary democracy was being "butchered" in the state.

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As Yeddyurappa staked the claim in a surprise move and said he had been invited to form the government, the Congress, said, "corruption icon and former jail bird" Yeddyurappa had used his "excellent horse trading skills" to subvert democracy and come to power.

JD(S), which was the Congress' ruling coalition partner, said the Governor's decision to permit Yeddyurappa to take oath without raising any doubt was "anti-democratic." "Corruption Icon and Former Jail Bird Shri@ BSYBJP has used his excellent Horse Trading skills to subvert democracy and come to power," the state Congress tweeted.

"People of Karnataka remember his disastrous tenure as CM between 2008-11, which ended with BSY in Jail," it said.

Former chief minister and Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah said Karnataka has become "an experimental lab of the BJP."

Siddaramaiah said in his tweet, "Karnataka assembly has become an experimental lab for Karnataka BJP and the BJP backed governor to try unconstitutional ways to form government. In what article of the constitution is the governor allowed to permit the party to form govt that doesn't have majority? It is shame!!", he said.

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He said the BJP has a strength of 105 which is way less than the half way mark.

"In no way BJP can form the government if constitution is followed," he said adding, this only proved that BJP has no belief in the democratic values.

In another message tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party national president Amit Shah, the Congress said, "Parliamentary democracy is being butchered in Karnataka. How can Yeddyurappa stake claim to form government when they don't have the numbers? How can the Governor who is the safe keeper of the constitution give his consent ? Where is the Rule of LAW!"

Echoing similar sentiments, JD(S) tweeted, "The strength of the house is 222 (after disqualification of three MLAs) and the half-way mark is 112. However, BS Yeddyurappa approached the governor saying that he has 105 MLAs with him.

The party said the Governor's decision to permit Yeddyurappa to take oath without raising any doubt was anti-democratic.

Yeddyurappa's sudden move came a day after speaker K RRamesh Kumar disqualified three rebel MLAs R Shankar, RameshJarkiholi and Mahesh Kumathalli, while keeping pending his decision in respect of 14 other lawmakers.

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