As the Congress gears up to form the government in Karnataka with the support of the Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)), the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) chief ministerial candidate BS Yeddyurappa said the Congress was playing “backdoor politics” and that the mandate of the people was with the BJP.
He said the BJP has emerged as the single largest party and that the anti-Congress wave had given suitable number of seats to the JD(S).
While thanking the people of Karnataka and the party workers for the huge mandate, he said that the Congress was trying to subvert the decision of the people.
Seeking to throw a spanner in the BJP's works as the party appeared tantalisingly close to the magic figure of 112, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced Congress's support to the JD(S).
The role of Governor Vajubhai Vala, a former BJP veteran, would be critical once the Congress formally extends support to the JD(S).
According to the usual practice, the governor calls the leader of the single largest party or pre-poll alliance to form the government, and in the event of a hung Assembly, asks them to prove the majority on the floor of the House.
(With inputs from PTI)
(The Quint is now on WhatsApp. To receive handpicked stories on topics you care about, subscribe to our WhatsApp services. Just go to TheQuint.com/WhatsApp and hit send)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)