BS Yeddyurappa takes oath as Chief Minister amid Congress-JD(S) protest

SUMMARY

The drama in Karnataka is intensifying following BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa’s swearing in as Chief Minister. Activists and leaders of Congress and JD(S) are staging a protest in front of the Vidhan Soudha against the formation of BJP government. Earlier, the stage for the swearing in was set after the Supreme Court refused to stay Yeddyurappa’s swearing in as Karnataka CM. The governor’s decision to invite the leader of BJP, the single largest party in the assembly to form a government did not go down well with Congress and JD(S) who allege the decision was unjust and anti-democratic.

By CNBC-TV18May 17, 2018 1:32:56 PM IST (Published)

BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa is seen swearing in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka with Governor Vajubhai Vala administering the oath. The decision to invite the BJP to form government was followed by protest from other parties. The event took place only after the Supreme Court refused to stay the decision taken by the Governor. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

Celebrations erupted among the followers of the saffron party after it emerged that it will be forming government in the southern state. The development is seen as a boost to the BJP, which still finds it hard to strengthen its influence in south. The victory also strengthens the PM Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo as they prepare for next year’s general elections. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

However, the decision to invite BJP to form government hasn’t gone down well with its rivals, particularly the Congress. The grand old party had pledged support to JD(S) in order to thwart BJP’s accession. The party leaders and activists staged a dharna in front of the Vidhan Soudha to protests against the swearing in. (News18)

The Congress was not alone in their protests. New found ally JD(S) was also against the decision. The party which came third behind BJP and Congress was hoping to form government with latter’s support under H D Kumaraswamy. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

The leaders and activists of JD(S) too joined their Congress counterparts in the protest being held near Vidhan Soudha. They were led by party patriarch and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda who joined the Congress dharna led by Ghulam Nabi Azad and Siddaramaiah. (News18)