Karnataka election result: BJP quits as tables turn in 55 hours

In a dramatic turn of events, Congress came out on top barely 55 hours after the Karnataka election results. B S Yeddyurappa’s third chief ministerial stint didn’t last long, as opposition got something to cheer about, after a tough couple of years. The resignation of B S Yeddyurappa on Saturday evening came as a shot in the arm for a struggling opposition looking to pose a challenge to Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections before it’s too late.

With several chief ministers likely to attend the event, an example of unity between the opposition is set to be witnessed when H D Kumaraswamy-headed Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) coalition government on Wednesday at the time of swearing-in. In a bid to prove majority, Govern Vajubhai Vala has given 15 days to Kumaraswamy.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi accused Prime Minister Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah in Delhi of authorising buying off MLAs and disrespecting institutions. ‘BJP and the RSS should “learn lessons” from the recent developments in Karnataka,’ he said.

On the other hand, H D Kumaraswamy said that several opposition leaders felt that the situation is such that the country and society are being divided and the opposition leaders from both the sides want to join hands and correct it. He said that he wants to send a political message to the rest of the country. He further said that he wasn’t desperate to become the chief minister and no one can take the ‘former chief minister’ tag away from him.

HD Kumaraswamy is likely to begin his term with a small cabinet initially, according to the sources. The small group of MLAs will be sworn-in as ministers along with the CM on Wednesday.