Bengaluru, May 19, (Indian Express/The Hindu): In a dramatic turn of events in the South Indian State of Karnataka on Saturday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJ) leader and Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa announced his resignation before moving the Motion of Confidence in his government in the State Assembly.
He left because he could not muster the magic number of 112 required to form a government.
” I am not moving this motion. I will go straight away to Raj Bhavan and submit my resignation,” he told the House.
In an emotional address to the House, Yeddyurappa said he had many dreams of developing Karnataka.
“If only people would have given us 113 seats instead of 104, we would have made this state a paradise.” Attacking Congress and JDS (Janata Dal -Secular) over their ‘unholy alliance’, the outgoing Chief Minister said: “Those who were swearing on the names of each other’s fathers and calling each other names before the polls, have now come together to form this unholy alliance.”
Meanwhile, the swearing-in of 210 MLAs was completed before the Assembly adjourned for a short recess.
The House reopened at 3.30 pm. BJP leader Soma Sekhara Reddy, Congress leaders Anand Singh, Prathap Gouda who were not present in the morning, were sworn in after the House reconvened.
The high-stakes political drama in Karnataka intensified after the Congress released audio clips accusing the BJP of trying to lure its MLAs before the crucial trust vote in the House. In one of the audio clips released by the Congress Chief Minister Yeddyurappa is purportedly heard offering ministry to Congress leader BC Patil. Minutes later, the party released another clip allegedly featuring BJP MLA Sreeramulu and BC Patil.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court rejected Congress’ petition challenging the appointment of K.G.Bopauah as the pro tem speaker ahead of Karnataka floor test. The bench, however, allowed the floor test to be telecast live. “Live broadcast of floor test would be the best way to ensure transparency of proceedings,” the judges said. Alleging that Bopaiah had helped Yeddyurappa to survive the floor test in 2010, the Congress has moved the apex court challenging his appointment.
(The featured image at the top shows Karnataka Chief Minister B.S.Yeddyurappa vacating his seat after announcing that he is resigning without introducing the Motion of Confidence in his government)
