BS Yeddyurappa takes oath as Karnataka CM for the 4th time

The Karnataka political imbroglio finally came to an end, though still in a state of confusion.

But the BJP’s former chief minister and octogenarian B. S. Yeddyurappa has been sworn in today for the fourth time as the Saffron party’s lawmakers have assured the governor of the Southern state and the BJP chief and union home minister Amit  that the party would definitely muster the requisite majority by 31st July, the time schedule accorded to the fourth time CM by the governor.

Sounds interesting and ironical as well that after so much of hullaballoo for so many days and two days of hectic speeches in the Karnataka Assembly the speaker had to finally bow down and give Yeddyurappa a chance to become the CM though not wanting to do so.

The Karnataka imbroglio is the best example of the Aaya Ram Gaya Raam politics literally throwing to winds the democratic norms and rules of anti-defection law implemented at the behest of the ex-prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

In an open defiance to the anti-defection law the 13 Congress and 3 Janata Dal lawmakers of the previous ruling coalition under the influence and clandestine collaboration of BJP had resigned from their legislative seats giving  the saffron party a safe chance to destabilise the Congress JD( S) combine government which has never ever happened in any state of the country. Two more Congress MLAs and an independent too resigned later on.

All the dissidents who’d send their resignations to the speaker and extended support to the BJP had been holed up in a Mumbai hotel since the day political drama started in Karnataka.

All attempts and drama by the ruling Congress JD ( S) alliance failed to convince them.

Sounds irrational and undemocratic that lawmakers of two political parties forget their responsibilities to serve the masses of their respective constituencies who’ ve duly elected them some months ago with the hope and aspirations that they will contribute their best in their welfare and well being.

But to the utter dismay and shock to the electorates of their respective constituencies, these lawmakers under the guise of certain greed, political or otherwise had while shirking their democratic and constitutional moral responsibilities preferred to resign to open a safe channel for BJP to form its government by destabilising a democratic elected government of Congress JD( S) majority thus making the mockery of the constitutional and democratic institutions of the state and the country.

The question is, had the electorates of their respective constituencies given them the right to resign without seeking their permission. Till today, if we see history of electoral politics no elected representative of any party has sought the electorates permission to resign or to change party.

Sounds really shocking.

Meanwhile, after the acceptance of three resignations of lawmakers n the rest of the dissidents, the strength of the Karnataka assembly has come down to 222 in total and the majority required by the newly sworn-in chief minister B. S. Yeddyurappa of BJP  is total 112 lawmakers whereas he has the total favorable strength of 106 as of now.

The BJP has the strength of 105 lawmakers of its own whereas one independent is supporting them as well.

However, the strength of the Congress JDU has come down from the earlier total 118 to 100 lawmakers giving quite an edge to BJP.

This means the BJP’s chief minister B. S. Yeddyurappa will have to muster the additional support of six more MLA by 31st July to attain the majority of 112.

It remains to be seen whether he will be able to gain the requisite numbers or not. However, sources reveal that the saffron party is quite confident of gaining the requisite support of 6 MLAs. Let’s keep our fingers crossed till then.

The Karnataka Congress chief Gundu Rao has termed the swearing-in of BS Yeddyurappa as the new chief minister of Karnataka as unethical and unconstitutional as a result of horse-trading and corrupt practices.

Prior to going to meet the governor of Karnataka to stake claim to form government B. S. Yeddyurappa tweeted :

As instructed by our National President Shri@ Amit Shah Ji and working president of BJP Shri @ JP Naddaji, I have met his excellency governor of Karnataka to stake claim to form a government. I will take the oath of CM today at 6.00 PM.

Meanwhile, Yeddyurappa has also stated “We are not indulging in any poaching. It is CM HD Kumaraswamy who is indulging in horse-trading, not BJP. CM himself is offering money and ministerial posts,” Yeddyurappa said.

BJP State President BS Yeddyurappa has claimed on Friday that several JDS MLAs are willing to join his party as they are miffed with portfolio allocation. As we all know, there were multiple issues within the ruling JD (S) and Congress alliance with a lot of warring MLAs. They were unhappy with seat-sharing and the allocation of cabinet berth/portfolios. There was also a face-off between the two parties for Finance portfolio.

Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy had insulted the voters by saying that they are indebted to Congress and not to voters.