Karnataka: After midnight drama, Yeddyurappa to take oath as CM today

The swearing in comes hours after the Supreme Court refuses to issue a stay order

Web Desk Updated: May 17, 2018 08:09 IST
INDIA-ELECTION/ Yeddyurappa leaves to meet the state governor to stake claim to form the government, in Bengaluru on Wednesday | Reuters

BJP leader B.S Yeddyurappa will take oath as Karnataka chief minister on Thursday hours after the Supreme Court refused to stay his swearing in. The ceremony will take place at Raj Bhavan at 9 am.

Earlier, the Congress-JD(S) combine made a last-ditch attempt to stall the saffron party's surge in the southern state by challenging Governor Vajubhai R. Vala's decision to invite BJP to form government, in the Supreme Court.

Latest developments

  • Yeddyurappa is all set to take oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka. This will be the third time when Yeddyurappa will take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. Born on February 27, 1943, the BJP leader will succeed Siddaramaiah. 

  • On Wednesday night, Congress and JD(S) challenged Karnataka Governor Vajubhai R. Vala's decision in the top court to invite BJP to form the government even when the saffron party, with 105 MLAs, including one Independent MLA, is seven short of the halfway mark of 112. 

  • The Supreme Court, which commenced the hearing at 2.11 am and ended at 5.28 am, refused to issue a stay order, but made it clear that the swearing-in and the government formation in the state would be subject to the final outcome of the case before it. The top court will hear the matter again on Friday at 10.30 am.

  • Governor Vala, while inviting the BJP to form the government, has given the saffron party 15 days to prove its majority in the state assembly. The governor reportedly took the decision after consulting with former attorney general Mukul Rohtagi.

  • Reacting to the development, the Congress claimed that the governor did not follow the rule book while inviting the BJP to form the government. The party said the governor denigrated his office, trampled the Constitution and acted as a BJP puppet. They contended that they, with a total strength of 115 MLAs, are in a better position to form the government.

  • The Congress was reduced to 78 seats in the 224-member house while JD(S) managed to win 37 seats.

  • The first twist in the race for power came on Tuesday when Congress extended an unconditional support to the JD(S) even before three-fourth of the results were announced.

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