Congress-JD(S) win in Karnataka encouraging formation of 'federal front' against BJP
The JD(S)-Congress win in Karnataka is encouraging the formation of a "federal front" against the BJP, news reports said Sunday.
A number of regional leaders — including Mamata Banerjee, N Chandrababu Naidu, Arvind Kejriwal, Mayawati, Sharad Pawar, Akhilesh Yadav, MK Stalin, and Tejashwi Yadav — have spoken out in support of the JD(S)-Congress win.
"Democracy wins. Congratulations Karnataka. Congratulations DeveGowda Ji, Kumaraswamy Ji, Congress and others. Victory of the 'regional' front," tweeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
"Entire nation is happy with the current turn of events," tweeted Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
"BJP’s attempts to subvert democracy have miserably failed in Karnataka," said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
HD Kumaraswamy's swearing in on May 23 is expected to be a show of strength of this possible federal front with the Congress and the JD(S) inviting a number of leaders. All of the leaders mentioned above are expected to attend.
"I just spoke with Kumaraswamy Ji and congratulated him. He invited me for the oath taking ceremony," tweeted Mamata.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi too hinted at the formation of an alliance to take on the BJP in 2019.
"I am proud that opposition stood together and defeated the BJP and we will continue to do so," Rahul said to the media after BS Yeddyurappa's resignation as chief minister of Karnataka.
Sunday's news reports however added that the developments in Karnataka have made the Congress realise that it cannot be the leader of this possible federal front to take on the BJP in 2019, but only a part of it.
Democracy wins. Congratulations Karnataka. Congratulations DeveGowda Ji, Kumaraswamy Ji, Congress and others. Victory of the 'regional' front
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 19, 2018
BJP’s attempts to subvert democracy have miserably failed in Karnataka. BJP's lust for power through foul means stands completely exposed. Will BJP learn any lesson now ?
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 19, 2018
India's judiciary has risen to the occasion and has safeguarded our democracy.
Truth can never be defeated! Truth will always defeat a lie or liar! #KaranatakaFloorTest
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) May 19, 2018
आज का दिन भारतीय राजनीति में धनबल की जगह जनमत की जीत का दिन है. सबको खरीद लेने का दावा करने वालों को आज ये सबक मिल गया है कि अभी भी भारत की राजनीति में ऐसे लोग बाकी हैं, जो उनकी तरह राजनीति को कारोबार नहीं मानते हैं. नैतिक रूप से तो केंद्र की सरकार को भी इस्तीफ़ा दे देना चाहिए.
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) May 19, 2018
कर्नाटक विधानसभेतील बहुमतात असलेल्या सदस्यांचे अभिनंदन! प्रचंड दबाव-प्रलोभने असतानाही त्याला बळी न पडता आपल्या पक्षांच्या भूमिकेशी ते ठाम राहिले.#KarnatakaFloorTest
— Sharad Pawar (@PawarSpeaks) May 19, 2018
Resignation of BS Yeddyurappa as Karnataka's 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.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) May 19, 2018
The systematic abuse of Governor's office and wanton misuse of Speaker's powers by the BJP in other states, including TamilNadu, stand exposed from recent events in Karnataka. Hope this setback helps the BJP realise its mistake of propping up an illegitimate govt in TamilNadu.
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) May 19, 2018
The BJP won 104 seats in the recent Karnataka elections. The Congress won 78, the JD(S) 37, and its pre-poll ally the BSP 1.
The Karnataka assembly has a total of 224 seats, but voting to two seats was postponed. 112 seats then were needed for a simple majority.
The BJP was short by 8 seats. The Congress and the JD(S) together were able to make the numbers.
The Congress' Rahul Gandhi had attacked the JD(S) on the campaign trail, calling it the "B-team of the BJP" but the Congress quickly offered the JD(S) an alliance and the chief ministership once the election results were out.