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No time was lost in BS Yeddyurappa taking oath as the new chief minister of Karnataka on Thursday, 17 May morning. What had preceded was an unprecedented action-packed hearing in the Supreme Court of the Congress’ plea challenging Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala’s decision to invite the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form government.
No sooner than the new chief minister was sworn in, Rahul Gandhi hit out at the BJP, on Twitter, over its “irrational insistence” to form government in Karnataka, despite "not having the numbers”.
It was the Congress President’s first public comment over the dramatic developments that took place in the state after the Assembly election threw up a hung verdict.
Amit Shah wasted no time in hitting back at Gandhi. The BJP national president tweeted his reply, reminding him of the Congress’ “glorious history”.
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In a late-night hearing, the apex court made it clear that the swearing-in and the government formation in the state would be subject to the final outcome of the case before it.
Yeddyurappa has 15 days to prove his majority in the Assembly.
The BJP has 104 MLAs in the House, eight short of the magic figure of 112. On the other hand, the Congress and the JD(S), which have already announced post-poll tie-up, have won 78 and 37 seats respectively.
Launching a fusillade against Governor Vala after he invited the BJP to form the government in the state, the Congress had on Wednesday, 16 May, dubbed him a "stooge" of the NDA major and accused him of "encountering" Constitution at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah.
(With PTI inputs)
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