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After days of high political drama, the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) alliance scored a victory in the Karnataka elections, after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief minister BS Yeddyurappa failed to establish majority on the floor of the House and tendered his resignation.
“I am proud that the Opposition stood together and defeated the BJP and we will continue to do so,” Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said at a press conference, moments after Yeddyurappa ’s resignation.
Accusing the BJP of horse-trading, Gandhi alleged that PM Narendra Modi’s claims of the BJP being corruption-free were “blatant lies”.
Hours after the Yeddyurappa’s resignation, former CM Siddaramaiah thanked Rahul Gandhi and hailed it as the “start towards building a National Alliance of progressive and secular forces for 2019”.
Reacting to the development, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president N Uttam Reddy dubbed it a great victory for democracy.
Expressing confidence that the Congress would win the 2019 elections, he reportedly asserted that nothing could “stop Rahul Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister of India”.
While the Congress-JD(S) combine cheered their bitterly-fought win, Opposition members bombarded the coalition with congratulatory messages. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called it a “victory of democracy”.
MK Stalin of the Dravid Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) reiterated Mamata’s sentiments.
The DMK working president, who also congratulated JD(S)’ Kumaraswamy on the phone, lashed out at the BJP’s “systematic abuse of Governor’s office and wanton misuse of Speaker’s powers”.
DMK leader Kanimozhi praised the Supreme Court for its intervention in the matter, and called it a victory for not just the Congress-JD(S) combine, but also the Opposition parties supporting the alliance in spirit.
Meanwhile, Tamil actor Rajinikanth, on Sunday, 20 May, said that the development in the neighbouring state was a victory for democracy, reported PTI.
Dubbing as "farcical" the time of 15 days given by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala to Yeddyurappa to prove his majority, Rajinikanth said that it should not have been done.
"Hats off to the Supreme Court which gave a good ruling," he said, apparently referring to the apex court asking the BJP to take the floor test to prove its majority in the House on Saturday.
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said it was a big blow to the BJP. “This is a big blow for them (BJP) and I think what they had been planning all along for 2019 has failed, they will now have to rethink and alter their strategies,” said Mayawati.
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu said that all those who believe in democracy should rejoice. “Resignation of Yeddyurappa as Karnataka CM is a true victory for democracy. Entire nation is happy with the current turn of events. As a Chief Minister and a firm believer of democracy, I am expressing my happiness,” he said.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav also tweeted calling the events in Karnataka a victory of truth.
Taking to Twitter, actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan also hailed it as a victory of democracy, saying, “Let the democratic light born in Karnataka spread all over the country. Long live Bharatham the grand sacred country.”
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Published: 19 May 2018,06:17 PM IST