Newly-appointed Chief Minister of Karnataka BS Yeddyurappa has resigned from the post which was given to him just two days ago. BS Yeddyurappa attacked the Congress-JDS alliance in his speech ahead of the crucial floor test and ended it by resigning at the Karnataka chief minister.

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Bidar constituency's Congress MLA Raheem Khan said that the BJP does not have majority, and that the party has approached everyone excluding him. On being asked if any offer has been made to him by the BJP, the MLA refused to comment by saying that he will comment on this later.

The Congress and JD(S) have listed seven main points in their petition on Friday night. Primary among them: Setting aside the appointment of the current pro tem speaker KG Bopaiah and replacing him with the "senior most" MLA in the Assembly, as is the tradidtion. Dividing up the MLAs on the basis of their alignment to the triage of parties involved and video recording of the floor test are other requests that detail the Congress JD(S) petition.

The newly-elected MLAs will be sworn-in on Saturday before the floor test, which will be held at 4 pm. The legislators from Congress and JD(S) were earlier moved to places outside of Bengaluru in a bid to avoid "poaching".

"The BJP has no strength to form the government. The confidence vote to be held on Saturday will be defeated by the Congress and the JD(S) combine... We know that two MLAs were hijacked from Bengaluru. One MLA is in touch with us. Saturday morning, they are going to join our camp," he said.

JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy alleged that two of his MLAs were "hijacked" by the BJP from Bengaluru, but expressed hope that they would join his camp Saturday morning. Speaking to reporters, he claimed that the BJP has been trying to "purchase" his MLAs by offering several incentives.

BS Yeddyurappa to leave for Shangri-La hotel at 9 am for the party legislature meeting, will then head to Assembly for trust vote - ANI

The least the Gandhi scion should do is issue an unqualified public apology for attempting to bring the Indian judiciary into disrepute. It isn't just the petty attempt to impeach the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, in his effort to "get even" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi whom he is unable to defeat politically, the Congress president has made subversion of judiciary a cornerstone of his irresponsible, infantile and vituperative campaign.

Now that the Supreme Court has effectively quashed the Karnataka governor Vajubhai Vala's decision and slashed BJP chief minister BS Yeddyurappa's window to prove majority from 15 days to 24 hours (a key Congress demand), will Congress president Rahul Gandhi now admit he was wrong to cast aspersions on the judiciary? Will he apologise for his conduct?

Some of Congress and JD(S) MLAs were shifted to Hyderabad on Friday. In Banjara Hills, where the Congress MLAs were holed up, the party workers launched a search for a missing MLAs. According to NDTV , after they searched "everywhere for him" — from the bar and restaurants to the washrooms — he was found "chilling" at the swimming pool.

"Poaching" and "horse-trading" are two terms that have haunted Congress ever since the results came out for the Karnataka Assembly election. The party, along with it's ally JD(S), has been busy in the past couple of days, moving its legislators from resort to resort in order to keep them out of BJP's reach. But on Friday, Congress almost thought it had lost one to the saffron party.

When one Congress MLA's time at the pool made party leaders think he was lost to BJP

Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa said that all the pollcy decision, including those on farmers' welfare, will be held on Sunday. He also said that the Cabinet meeting will be held on Sunday, appearing confident on winning the floor test.

Chief Minister BS Yeddyrappa, who will be facing the floor test on Saturday, has reached Shangri-La Hotel for the BJP legislature meeting. Meanwhile, JD(S) MLAs, who had been earlier moved to different places to avoid "poaching", have reached Le Meridien Hotel in Bengaluru.

"Both Congress and JD(S) have an unholy alliance. They are going to be rejected," ANI quoted Union Minister Ananth Kumar as saying.

Over the decades, more than 100 MLAs and two dozen MPs have been disqualified under the anti-defection law across India. Other democracies also have the problem of legislators defying their whip, but their solution or punishment is not as drastic as ours. In the United Kingdom, an MP who defies a three-line whip (meaning a written notice which has been underlined three times to mark its urgency) could be expelled from the party but retains their seat, unlike in India where they lose both. In Australia, the punishment for defying the whip include things like being denied some party resources.

Over the years, because of the anti-defection law, the judiciary has been able to impose itself on what is essentially the prerogative of the legislature. This may be seen by some as being necessary but it is not healthy in a parliamentary democracy.

Ahead of the floor test, pro tem Speaker KG Bopaiah has reached the Karnataka Assembly in Bengaluru. The BJP is currently holding a legislature meeting. BS Yeddyrappa and the party MLAs will leave for the Assembly after wrapping up the meeting.

BS Yeddyurappa will face the 6th floor test on Saturday. His first floor test was in November 2007 when his eight-day-old government collapsed when its alliance partner JD(S) refused support. In June 2008, he faced another floor test which he won. His third floor test was in 2010. which Yeddyurappa won by a voice vote, which the then governor rejected and recommended President’s rule. Yeddyurappa was given another chance to prove his floor strength in October, 2010.

BJP leader Ramalinga Reddy claimed that Congress MLA Anand Singh would defy party whip during the trust vote. "Physically he is not with us, but he is in contact with our leaders. He has to come to Vidhana Soudha today. He will definitely vote for us," ANI quoted Reddy as saying.

Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa has already reached Shangri-La Hotel for the BJP parliamentary meeting. Yeddyurappa and the MLAs will leave for the Vidhana Soudha after the meeting for the floor test.

Ahead of the trust vote, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said that it wasn't an important day for him. "The important days will come in future. Up to 4 pm, BJP will try to poach our MLAs. All the MLAs are together; no one is going to go to the other side. None of our MLAs are trapped," he was quoted as saying by ANI .

Congress' decision to move the Supreme Court at the eleventh hour to stall the appointment of BJP MLA KG Bopaiah is significant. It indicates that the party is aware of the important role played by the pro tem Speaker in management of the floor test, and often the Speaker's decision could well be the difference between victory or defeat. But more importantly, the move signifies a new combative spirit in Congress which seems to have become more aggressive under Rahul Gandhi's leadership. The Congress appears ready to shake off its ennui and take the fight to the enemy camp. From knocking the doors of the Supreme Court at midnight, to belatedly challenging governors' decisions in several states and staking claims to form governments in Goa, Manipur, Meghalaya — it is clear that Rahul won't give up an inch. It remains to be seen if this combative spirit results in electoral gains.

Congress is trying to play an aggressive game but it should be careful

"It is global practice and established convention that senior most member is to be appointed as pro tem speaker," Sibal was quoted as telling Supreme Court by Live Law . He also said Bopaiah conducting the floor test is a problem.

The hearing on Congress-JD(S) plea challenging appointment of pro tem speaker KG Bopaiah is underway in the Supreme Court. Appearing for Congress, Kapil Sibal said in the top court, "The individual appointed must be the senior most member of the House which is a convention in the Parliament also," according to ANI .

Appearing for the Congress, Kapil Sibal cited pro tem Speaker KG Bopaiah's conduct in the past. Sibal gave example of 2010, when Bopaiah disqualified certain members which the court found as illegal and unconstitutional. He also reads our the Supreme Court judgement against Bopaiah in 2011.

Upon hearing Kapil Sibal's arguments, Justice Bobde said, " If you want us to review the order, we should postpone the floor test. We declined to pass an order in that midnight hearing because we want to hear." However, Sibal appealed that the trust vote be not delayed.

The swearing-in has begun in the Vidhana Soudha. Siddaramaiah and BS Yeddyurappa have taken the oath of office.

Speaking to reporters, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "It's for the first time I'm thankful that the court has taken decision during the time of holiday. The Supreme Court allowed live videography of the floor test. This will solve our concerns."

"Most important objective was to establish transparency. Since the statement has come from ASG that live feed of proceedings would be given, we hope and trust there would be fairness. I have no doubt that the victory would be of Congress and JD(S)," Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters after the Supreme Court allowed the live broadcast of the floor test.

Congress seems have to set a trap for itself by going to court over the appointment of Bopaiah. Fresh from the victory earlier yesterday in forcing the trust vote for 4 pm today, its strategists obviously overplayed their hand by questioning the appointment. As the Supreme Court pointed out, this was in total contrast of their stand yesterday that the vote of confidence be conducted at the earliest. They did not anticipate that the court would refuse to pass any order against the appointment without hearing the person concerned, Bopaiah. That would have given what the BJP wants most: more time to win over MLAs. That’s why Kapil Sibal and company had to make a hasty retreat and accept the government counsel offer of live telecast of the proceedings.

The Congress’ aggressive manner of taking everything to court also suggests that it wants things done only in a manner that it dictates. Yesterday in court it wanted the appointment of a pro tem speaker and a quick vote of confidence. It pushed the name of Congress MLA RV Deshpande for the post (the senior most legislator) and somehow seemed to imagine that the governor would oblige it. When that did not happen and the governor appointed Bopaiah, a BJP MLA as pro tem Speaker to conduct the confidence vote, it panicked and rushed to court again to stall it.

"We already have the majority, but we will still wait until evening to see what happens. You can wait till evening, we will prove our majority," says BJP MLA from Aurad, Bidar, Prabhu Chavan.

The Supreme Court has been equanimous and, given the current circumstances, the only sane voice in dealing with the impasse in Karnataka. All three of its decisions — to advance the floor test, reject the motion to dismiss KG Bopaiah as the pro tem Speaker, and order all channels to broadcast the floor test live — have served to bring equilibrium to the mess that the southern state is in.

Congress' petition against the appointment of BJP MLA Bopaiah as pro tem Speaker raises disturbing questions. The fact that it wants a Congressman to conduct the vote of confidence leaves nobody in doubt about the why of it. Obviously, all parties expect a pro tem speaker to be partial to the party of their origin, whereas the post is supposed to be apolitical. It’s a shame that all parties demand a speaker of their choice in the name of the constitution.

Two Congress MLAs Anand Singh andPratap Gowda Patil have not yet come to the Assembly for oath-taking, according to reports.

The Supreme Court has specified that the only agenda before the pro tem Speaker is to conduct the vote of confidence. This will restrict the pro tem Speaker from taking up any other business that could alter the voting strength of parties on either side of the divide. Another feather in the Supreme Court's cap.

Congressman lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi has claimed victory saying the objective of his party was to ensure a transparent and fair conduct of the confidence vote. They are clearly underplaying the rejection of their demand for a direction to the pro tem Speaker for conducting a division. Mukul Rohatgi, representing Yedyurappa, also claimed victory for his client, again a convenient interpretation of the Supreme Court order, considering they lost the bigger battle on Friday of buying more time to shore up their numbers.

CNNNews18 is reporting that the two Congress MLAs who have been untraceable for the last few days have not turned up in the Assembly. If they stay out for the entire day, it means the strength of the House will come down to 220. So, Yeddyurappa will need 110 votes to win the day. He will have to engineer the absence/abstention of at least six MLAs. Is that going to happen?

If two Congress MLAs remain 'absconding', strength of the House with come down to 220

By ordering the live telecast of floor test at Vidhana Soudha and at the same time refusing to interfere in the governor's decision to appoint KG Bopaiah as pro tem Speaker, the Supreme Court has made a balanced and nuanced observation. By turning down Congress's appeal to block Bopaiah from conducting House proceedings, the court pointed out that it is not permissible in law to direct the governor to appoint a particular person as pro tem Speaker. While Bopaiah retains power to conduct floor test, the decision to share House feed with all channels, including local and private, will ensure transparency, which was Congress' key concern.

One of the two "absconding" Congress MLAs, Pratap Gowda Patil, has arrived for the oath taking ceremony, According to reports, he was missing when his name was called out for the oath taking.

Speaking at the Congress press conference, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "We could not delay the trust vote at all today. In one and a half days, we have done away with the option of a secret ballot, the pro tem Speaker cannot take any other agenda. And everything will be recorded. It will be a victory of the republic now."

At the press conference, Congress leader Kapil Sibal said that along with preaching "Na khaunga, na khane dunga (Won't indulge in corruption, won't allow it eiteher)", Prime Minister Narendra Modi should also preach "Na kharidunga, na kharidne dunga(Won't buy support, won't allow others to buy support).

During meet on Congress strategy with the Gandhi family, Congress general secretary camping in Bengaluru Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ashok Gehlot were asked to ensure no MLAs cross over. Mamata Banerjee, Mayawati and Sitaram Yechury also pitched in with their inputs. Top Congress leaders Ahmed Patel and Ghulam Nabi Azad were in touch with TDP and TRS leaders, writes Pallavi Ghosh in News18.

Congress leader Veerapa Moily said that BJP will be "exposed" to the whole world. "They (BJP) know very well that they are 104. Still they are trying everything and anything to buy our MLAs. But, our MLAs are intact. Two of our MLAs are still not here, whenever they come they will surely support us," ANI quoted him as saying.

Dakshina Kannada district has been put under prohibitory orders under Section 144 of IPC following the recommendation of the Superintendent of Police of the district, Ravikante Gowda. District magistrate S Senthil has clamped Puttur, Sullia, Buntwal and Belthangady taluks of the district under the Section 144. The decision was taken after examining the situation which is stated to be highly volatile in the wake of political developments in Bengaluru. Consequently, Mangaluru commissioner Vipul Kumar has also clamped the Mangalore taluk which comes under the jurisdiction of the Mangalore police commissionarate under the same section.

Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Pratap Gowda Patil have been allegedly kept captive in Gold Finch Hotel in Bengaluru, News18 reported. Additional Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh along with his team are leaving for the hotel, the report said.

Given the predicament, it might be better for the BJP to persuade Yeddyurappa to step down, show allegiance to Constitutional values and claim the high moral ground. In any case, the inherent contradictions of an opportunistic Congress-JD(S) government might cause it implode. Yeddy may get another chance sooner than he imagines.

With allegations of horse trading flying thick and fast, the BJP should reconsider its decision to go for cross voting if it fails to gather the numbers. Some unverified audio clips aired by TV channels show chief minister BS Yeddyurappa allegedly trying to convince Congress MLA BC Patil to jump ship in exchange of ministerial berth. Reports are also coming in of two Congress MLAs being "held captive" at a Bengaluru hotel. The numbers are stacked against the BJP and Supreme Court has severely restricted its hands. In this situation, a lunge to garner the numbers to prove majority in Assembly will make BJP appear desperate, erode its moral standing and may dent its political capital among the electorate ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

BJP should persuade Yeddyurappa to step down, the party stands to benefit from such a strategy in the long run

Surely it will, says senior constitutional lawyer SP Chengappa. “Under the anti-defection act, any elected member who defects from one party to another, singly or with a group few MLAs, will stand to get disqualified and will lose his or their membership of the legislative assembly. In the present context since they will be taking oath, they cannot escape the clutches of anti defection law, in which case it was unlikely that BJP would increase their tally by the second round of Operation Kamala,” he observed.

Another condition is that his abstaining the voting should not be overlooked by his party within 15 days of such incident. According to the anti-defection law, at least two-thirds of the members of a party have to be in favour of a 'merger' for it to possess validity in the eyes of the law. But if the completer merger of a party with another for making a stable government will not be considered defection and will not be actionable under the anti-defection law of 1985.

1. If he voluntarily gives up his membership 2. He votes or abstains from voting in the House, contrary to his party's direction and without obtaining prior permission.

Under The Constitution (Fifty-second Amendment) Act, 1985, an elected member of a party can be disqualified on two grounds:

CNN-News18, citing sources in the top level leadership of the party, claimed that BS Yeddyurappa will resign after an emotional speech as the BJP is convinced they do not have the numbers.

Amid speculation that BS Yeddyurappa may resign if the BJP's last minute assessment show they are still short of numbers, NDTV reported that the chief minister has sought a appointment with governor right after his speech.

Following reports that BS Yeddyurappa might resign if he does not have enough numbers to prove majority, Congerss' DK Shivakumar exuded confidence that his party will soon come to power. "I am sure he will resign before the trust vote," he said.

"Pratap Gowda Patil has come back. He will take oath as an MLA then he will vote for the Congress. He will not betray Congress party," Congress' DK Shivakumar told reporters moments ahead of the trust vote.

CNN-News18 has reported that top BJP sources have said that what has been happening in Karnataka can damage the public perception widely and the party can't afford to do that. The news channel reported that the party will step back before the floor test is conducted,

TV9, a reginonal TV channel is showing images of Congress leader DK Shivakumar receiving Pratap Gowda Patil at the entrance of Vidhana Soudha and accompanying him inside. Patil was one of the two Congress MLAs feared absconding. Shivakumar, also told reporters outside the Assembly, that he was confidence Yeddyurappa is going to step aside. He said that anothe rmissing MLA Anand Singh is also on his way to the Vidhan Soudha.

CNN-News18 reported that the BJP's central leadership has directed BS Yeddyurappa to make a graceful exit. BJP sources told the news channel that BS Yeddyurappa has drafted a 13-page-long emotional speech after which he will tender his resignation through the Speaker.

Somashekar Reddy, BJP MLA and one of the Reddy siblings, made a grand entry into the Assembly hall for oath taking, five hours late. He was reportedly at Hotel Taj West End. He gave anxious moments to BJP's Sriramulu and Karunakar Reddy who were seen trying to frantically call him since morning. With Reddy's appearance, now Anand Singh remains the only MLA yet to arrive at the Vidhana Soudha, TV9 reported.

"I was with my brother in Taj West End. Nobody was in my contact. I don't even know who are they, Anand Singh and Pratap Gowda Patil (Congress MLAs). I did not even go to Goldfinch Hotel," Somashekara Reddy, BJP MLA from Bellari and brother of Janardan Reddy told ANI

Anand Singh has now arrived on the Assembly floor, is seen being led around by D K Shivakumar and shaking hands with Congress leaders like G Parameswara.

BK Hariprasad, speaking to CNN-News18 alleged that Union home minister Rajnath Singh was controlling the two Congress MLAs by using central agencies like Enforcement Directorate and the CBI.

Muralidhar Rao, BJP state in-charge, denied having spoken to the BC Patil, the Congress MLA of Hirekerur. Audio clips of him and Sriramulu offering money and posts to Patil over the phone have emerged though its authenticity couldn't be verified.

Congress leaders Siddaramaiah and RV Deshpande stood up as Yeddyurappa started his speech. They requested the speaker that the motion of no confidence should be move first and then the chief minsiter can resume speaking.

Prime Minister Modi and BJP chief Ami Shah on Ambedkar Jayanti made me the president of the Karnataka BJP and told me that I will be the chief minister. In no other state ever a future chief minister is announced by our party. Today I make the proposal that I have convened the Sesssion and request the Speaker to oversee proceedings.

"During the election campaign, I have traveled throughout the state for the last two years and have seen pain on the faces of people. I can't forget the love and affection I received from people. I am very grateful to the people of Karnataka for the support we recieved everywhere," said BS Yedyurappa.

"My only aim to form the government in Karnataka was to help the poor and farmers and waive off their loans. All that Congress has done is try to divide the society on the basis of caste and religion. I wanted to serve the poople of Karnataka," Yeddyurappa told the House ahead of the floor test.

"People have blessed us with 104 seats. The mandate wasn't for Congress or JD(S) yet they formed an alliance to form the government. I condemn the backdoor politics done by Congress and JD(S)," Yeddyurappa said.

"People have blessed us with 104 seats. I have everything in life: houses, land, money. But I have faced many a tests in my life," Yeddyurappa said. "My entire life has been a test, today is one more test," he added.

"If only people would have given us 113 seats instead of 104, we would have made this state a paradise. But I will fight for the state till my last breath. We will get 28 out of 28 seats in Lok Sabha and I will win 150 Assembly seats for Narendra Modi," Yeddyurapa said.

He then said that he will resign as the chief minister of Karnataka. He will meet the governor after the Assembly session and submit his resignation.

In an emotional speech in the Assembly, BS Yeddyurappa said, "I will lose nothing if I lose power, my life is for the people." He said there was no way he could have served the people of Karnataka as the Congress was not even allowing the MLAs to speak to their family members.

Soon after BS Yeddyurappa announced his resignation on the floor of the House, DK Shivakumar held up Kumaraswamy's hand and flashed victory sign as JD(S) and Congress MLAs started celebrations. However, former chief minister Siddaramaiah was not seen in the midst of the celebrations.

" Democracy has won in Karnataka. The conspiracy made by the BJP has failed to authorize the anti-constitutional measures," Siddaramaiah tweeted.

"Today, democracy has been saved. What Governor should have done earlier, should do now. He should invite us to form government," Dinesh Gundu Rao of the Congerss party said.

Speaking to CNN-News18, after BS Yeddyurappa's resignation Congress leader DK Shivakumar said that he is a humble Congres worker and nothing else. Speaking on the next course of action, he said that now the governor has to invite them to form the government.

​"Today is a historic day in Indian politics. BS Yeddyurappa in Vidhan Soudha agreed to do a floor test. He couldn't do it. This is a victory of democracy. There was immense pressure on the Governor by the central government. The Governor's decision was a blot on Indian democracy. We should respect the people's mandate. It is a responsibility of all politicians and democratic heads. PM Modi and his ministers are working against the democracy," says former chief minister Siddaramaiah.

"And in a way this is what we are fighting today - that you can rubbish any institution and walk out," Rahul said.

"Did you notice that after the entire exercise in the Vidhan Soudha in Karnataka, the BJP legislators and the Speaker chose to get up and leave the House before the National Anthem," Rahul said.

He said, "This shows that all the anti-corruption talk by Prime Minister Modi is a blatant lie. This shows that he is corruption."

"You would have seen that there are audio recordings of how BJP was trying to purchase our MLAs. And this was directly sanctioned from New Delhi. This showed how the prime minister was openly sanctioning this," Rahul said.

"Today it has been proved that the country's institutions are bigger which murder accused Amit Shah should realise... And my message to the prime minister will also be that he should understand that he is not bigger than India, he is not bigger than the institutions of this country, that he is not bigger than our democracy. But I do not think he will understand this as he has been schooled all his life in the RSS ideology, which teaches him not to take any institution more seriously than the RSS," Rahul said.

As was being speculated, BS Yeddyurappa skipped the floor test because it had become obvious that BJP doesn't have the numbers. His tearful, emotional speech on the floor of the House and his resignation as Karnataka chief minister was a stark contrast to the triumphalism from Congress camp. The grand old party could be forgiven for feeling that it had pulled off a major victory. After all, victories have been hard to come by for it of late. The Congress can draw several positives from the victory.

Reacting after BS Yeddyurappa's resignation, BSP Supremo hailed the Supreme Court for upholding democracy as she said that the governor's office was under huge pressure form Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. She said that the party had blatantly used the constitutional office of the governor to usurp power in the state.

Kayande also said that the BJP should have stepped aside on day one and would have sat in the opposition keeping the Congress, JD(S) alliance on their toes. She said it would have saved the party much embarrassment and earned it people's sympathy.

BJP ally Shiv Sena demanded Governor Vajubhai Vala's resignation after the BJP was forced to step back in the state of Karnataka. Speaking to CNN-News18, party's spokesperson Manisha Kayande said that the BJP must take a lesson and reflect on its conduct in the past few days. She said that the governor acted in a suspicious way and should resign from his office.

"This is a big blow for BJP. What they had been planning all along for 2019 has failed, they will now have to rethink and alter their strategies," Mayawati said after BS Yeddyurappa tendered his resignation without facing the floor test.

"Yeddyurappa ji, through his speech, showed how democracy is respected. With his speech, he touched many hearts in Karnataka. However, the Congress on the other hand, instead of praising him was alleging that we were doing horse-trading," Javadekar said.

"If we were doing horse-trading, we needed only seven MLAs. But we didn't do any such thing that is why we resigned no," Javadekar argued. He said that it was the Congress and the JD(S) which held their MLAs captive in resorts and did not even let them contact their families or watch news.

He said that the Congress president should remember what his party did in the election, right from fake CDs to fake voter ID cards.

Javadekar said that Rahul Gandhi's statement is laughable as it is not the Congress which defeated BJP. "Our seats went to 104 from 40, their seats came down. You decide who defeated whom," Javadekar said.

"Congress wants to impeach CJI, and when they need they go to SC, they praise the court, when the court gives judgment in their favour (Congress), they say they do not have faith on EC," Prakash Javadekar said.

He said that this alliance is a 'surrender deal' as it has been forged on the promise that they will not probe Congress' corruption. "JD(S) in its campaign said it will probe the corruption under the Congress government. Now I challenge them but I know not even one file will be opened," Javadekar said.

"It’s a surrender deal, Cong and JD(S) were abusing each other. Rahul on the record made derogatory remarks about Deve Gowda. This is the most opportunistic alliance ever," Javadekar said.

"In a democracy, everyone has a right to form an alliance. But an alliance which is forged on jealousy and negativity against just one person can never succeed. People don't accept alliances which are not formed on ideological similarities," Javadekar said.

"Congress does not respect institutions and this statement is just an evidence of that. Is this how they show respect towards the post of the Governor?," Javadekar said reacting to Sanjay Nirupam's statement about the governor.

In Gujarat, it failed to win despite strong anti-incumbency sentiments and in Karnataka it failed to win elections despite a lack of anti-incumbency sentiments. Rahul Gandhi was absent from negotiations with the JD(S), he went incommunicado when the BJP emerged victorious and he did not lead from the front during the entire time leading to the floor test day. It is only when Yeddyurappa stepped down did Rahul emerge into prominence and claimed credit for grabbing power. It of course must count among his credits that he continues to be talked up by the media despite leading one defeat after another, and nary a question is raised against his leadership deficiencies. By some odd sleight of hand, despite emerging as the single largest party, it is the BJP which carries the cross of defeat in public narrative.

Let's just take a deep breath and step back from the moment. the fact remains that Congress went into the elections on its own, called JD(S) the 'B team' of BJP, finished second in the race by a considerable margin and then cobbled up a post-facto alliance by issuing a carte blanche and the chief minister's post to third-placed JD(S). To the extent that it showed nimbleness in staking claim and keeping its flock together to eventually foil BS Yeddyurappa's bid, the Congress has done well. But the hard fact is that Congress has now lost two successive elections under Rahul's stewardship.

It was interesting to see Rahul Gandhi appear for the news conference and blast Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and the RSS for their role in "murdering democracy". Looking at his tone of triumphalism, and the excitable commentary on TV studios, digital platforms and social media', one could be forgiven for assuming that Congress had comprehensively won the Karnataka elections and has successfully staved off an unjust attempt by the BJP to get to power through the backdoor.

With BS Yeddyurappa out of their way, Congress and JD(S) have started working out the modalities of their alliance. NDTV reported that the two parties have agreed that the deputy chief minister will be elected from the Congress party.

The party cadres would not sit idle even for a minute and would take the "Congress' story of betrayal" to every village of Karnataka, he said.

"BJP alone can give a stable government," Kumar told reporters here soon after BS Yeddyurappa announced his decision to quit as Karnataka chief minister without facing the vote of confidence in the Assembly.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Saturday said the coalition government of Congress and the JD(S) would not last long as it was an "unholy nexus."

Elected leader of the Congress, JD(S) alliance has reached the Raj Bhavan and is due to meet the governor in some time. He will stake a fresh claim to form a government in Karnataka. His swearing-in is likely on Monday, media reports said.

"I have just met the governor. He has invited the JD(S), Congress coalition to form a government as the BJP did not prove the majority. Along with the invitation, he has also asked us to prove our majority. On Monday morning, we will be hold a grand oath-taking ceremony at Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru," Kumaraswamy said.

He also said that the BJP has not given up on the operation Kamala completely. He said that both the parties will sit together to decide how best to tackle these problems.

"Congress leaders like Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ashok Gehlot will play a role in making this alliance a success. We will meet after 8.30 tonight at the Ashoka Hotel to finalise the modalities of the alliance," Kumaraswamy said.

"People have blessed us by making us the single largest party in this election. Power has never influenced my determination to stand up for a cause. Irrespective of that, I shall continue to fight for the betterment of the farmers and my people of Karnataka," Yeddyurappa said.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh hailed the collapse of the three-day-old B S Yeddyurappa government in Karnataka just before a crucial trust vote today as a vindication of the Congress party's moral stand and a "total loss of face" for the BJP. Singh alleged the BJP had "stooped to new lows" in its desperation to grab power in Karnataka by "hook or by crook".

"Today, the people's mandate has prevailed over money power," Yadav wrote on Twitter in Hindi. "Those who thought they could buy everyone have learnt the lesson that there are still people left who don't consider politics a business," he tweeted. "The central government should also resign on moral grounds," he added.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has termed the collapse of the three-day-old B S Yeddyurappa government in Karnataka a "victory of the people's mandate" and asked the central government to resign on moral grounds.

"I want to thank Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Ghulam Nabi Azad and other Congress leaders and MLAs for their support. I want to thank everyone, people of Karnataka, Mayawati ji for their support, Kumaraswamy said. "I will invite Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi ji personally to attend the oath-taking ceremony," says Kumaraswamy. "We will call a session soon to prove our majority," he added.

"But, going against the tradition, the (Karnataka) governor did not invite Congress-JDS combine (that has majority) to form the government.

"This is not an ordinary victory. Entire people of the country will be happy. It is a proud day for all of us," Naidu said at a meeting of women self-help groups leaders here this evening. He said normally a party with majority would be invited to form the government.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today termed the resignation of B S Yeddyurappa as Karnataka Chief Minister a "victory of democracy" and said it was a day everybody should feel proud of.

"BJP has already won the Karnataka elections. People of the state have clearly given their mandate to get rid of Congress. We approached the people of Karnataka with what PM Modi has been doing since he came to power and the manner in which Siddaramaiah government has been exploiting the state. You cannot ignore the will the people of a state. We wanted to expose the Congress before Karnataka and I believe we have succeeded in that. There is no question of buying any MLAs because we never wanted any MLAs from their party. These accusations are baseless. Congress leaders have themselves not accepted their alliance with JD(S). Congress has now developed a new theory under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, on how to win the battle despite losing it,” Amit Shah said.

"It is a shame for the Congress party that despite having 78 seats, they have fallen at the feet of JD(S) just to stopBJP," he said.

"It is a shame for the Congress party that despite having 78 seats, they have fallen at the feet of JD(S) just to stopBJP," he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh hailed the collapse of the three-day-old B S Yeddyurappa government in Karnataka just before a crucial trust vote today as a vindication of the Congress party's moral stand and a "total loss of face" for the BJP. Singh alleged the BJP had "stooped to new lows" in its desperation to grab power in Karnataka by "hook or by crook".

"Today, the people's mandate has prevailed over money power," Yadav wrote on Twitter in Hindi. "Those who thought they could buy everyone have learnt the lesson that there are still people left who don't consider politics a business," he tweeted. "The central government should also resign on moral grounds," he added.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has termed the collapse of the three-day-old B S Yeddyurappa government in Karnataka a "victory of the people's mandate" and asked the central government to resign on moral grounds.

"I want to thank Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Ghulam Nabi Azad and other Congress leaders and MLAs for their support. I want to thank everyone, people of Karnataka, Mayawati ji for their support, Kumaraswamy said. "I will invite Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi ji personally to attend the oath-taking ceremony," says Kumaraswamy. "We will call a session soon to prove our majority," he added.

"But, going against the tradition, the (Karnataka) governor did not invite Congress-JDS combine (that has majority) to form the government.

"This is not an ordinary victory. Entire people of the country will be happy. It is a proud day for all of us," Naidu said at a meeting of women self-help groups leaders here this evening. He said normally a party with majority would be invited to form the government.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today termed the resignation of B S Yeddyurappa as Karnataka Chief Minister a "victory of democracy" and said it was a day everybody should feel proud of.

"BJP has already won the Karnataka elections. People of the state have clearly given their mandate to get rid of Congress. We approached the people of Karnataka with what PM Modi has been doing since he came to power and the manner in which Siddaramaiah government has been exploiting the state. You cannot ignore the will the people of a state. We wanted to expose the Congress before Karnataka and I believe we have succeeded in that. There is no question of buying any MLAs because we never wanted any MLAs from their party. These accusations are baseless. Congress leaders have themselves not accepted their alliance with JD(S). Congress has now developed a new theory under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi, on how to win the battle despite losing it,” Amit Shah said.

"It is a shame for the Congress party that despite having 78 seats, they have fallen at the feet of JD(S) just to stopBJP," he said.

"It is a shame for the Congress party that despite having 78 seats, they have fallen at the feet of JD(S) just to stopBJP," he said.

2

Karnataka Assembly floor test LIVE updates: With BS Yeddyurappa out of their way, Congress and JD(S) have started working out the modalities of their alliance. NDTV reported that the two parties have agreed that the deputy chief minister will be elected from the Congress party and most likely it will be G Parameshwara. JDS leader and Chief Minister-designate HD Kumaraswamy confirmed that the swearing-in is scheduled for 21 May between 12.30 and 1 pm. Kumaraswamy further said that the Congress-JDS leaders will meet on Saturday at around 8.30 pm to discuss the modalities of the merger and forming the new government. "Senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot and opposition leaders Mamata Banerjee, KCR, Chandrababu Naidu, Mayawati, Sharad Pawar and Akhilesh Yadav have been invited for the gala celebrations," Kumaraswamy told the press on Saturday evening. Governor Vajubhai Vala invited Kumaraswamy to form the government and prove his majority in the House.

Newly-appointed Chief Minister of Karnataka BS Yeddyurappa has resigned from the post which was given to him just two days ago. He submitted the resignation to Governor Vajubhai Vala at the Raj Bhavan.

BS Yeddyurappa attacked the Congress-JDS alliance in his speech ahead of the crucial floor test and ended it by resigning at the Karnataka chief minister. After making the announcement BS Yeddyurappa went on to meet and shake hands with JDS chief Deve Gowda and senior Congress leaders, including Ghulam Nabi Azad. JDS-Congress MLAs immediately started flashing the victory sign and celebrating inside the house. The JDS and Congress leaders announced that they are now waiting for the Governor to call them.

During his speech, Yeddyurappa was briefly interrupted by former Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah who asked the former to move the trust motion while BS Yeddyurappa went on with his attacks. He said, "I don't do party politics. I do people's politics." Yeddyurappa also said, "My only aim to form the government was to serve the farmers and Dalits who were suffering." Yeddyurappa had earlier spoken to BJP president Amit Shah over phone amid speculation of his resignation. Meanwhile, Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Pratap Gouda Patil, who had been incommunicado for a while and missed the oath-taking ceremony in the Assembly, have now come back in the Assembly. The Assembly session began on Saturday morning with pro tem Speaker Bopaiah administering the oath to all newly-elected MLAs.

Several reactions poured in following Yeddyurappa's resignation. While former chief minister Siddaramaiah tweeted saying 'democracy has won', Congress leader P Chidambaram tweeted a scathing message, saying: "Poor Mr Yeddyurappa. When the puppeteers fail, the puppet falls and breaks." West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee also touted it as a win for the regional front: "Democracy wins. Congratulations Karnataka. Congratulations DeveGowda Ji, Kumaraswamy Ji, Congress and others. Victory of the 'regional' front."

HD Kumaraswamy, the chief minister candidate of the Congress-JDS combine, said that they are waiting for an invitation from the Governor's House to take oath as the new Karnataka chief minister. Earlier, Yeddyurappa began his speech in Vidhan Soudha and slammed the 'unholy alliance' between the JDS and the Congress. The chief minister had earlier spoken to BJP president Amit Shah over phone amid speculation of his resignation before the floor test. Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Pratap Gouda Patil, who had been incommunicado for a while and missed the oath-taking ceremony in the Assembly, are now back in the Assembly.

The stage is set for the floor test in Karnataka Assembly to test the strength of the two-day-old BS Yeddyurappa government amid allegations of poaching and horse-trading. The floor test will be overseen by pro tem speaker KG Bopaiah after the Supreme Court dismissed a Congress petition against his appointment and ordered live telecast of the proceedings. Sources said the floor test will be conducted via a show of hands. The Assembly session began on Saturday morning with Bopaiah administering the oath to all newly elected MLAs.

Following reports that BS Yeddyurappa might resign if he does not have enough numbers to prove majority, Congerss' DK Shivakumar exuded confidence that his party will soon come to power. "I am sure he will resign before the trust vote," he said.

Meanwhile, the Congress has released another audio tape, this time alleging that BS Yeddyurappa offered ministerial post to MLA BC Patil.

Meanwhile, Congress MLAs Anand Singh and Pratap Gowda Patil have been allegedly kept captive in Gold Finch Hotel in Bengaluru. Additional Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh along with his team are leaving for the hotel, the report said.

Congress leader Veerapa Moily said that BJP will be "exposed" to the whole world. "They (BJP) know very well that they are 104. Still they are trying everything and anything to buy our MLAs. But, our MLAs are intact.

The Supreme Court, earlier on Saturday, turned down Congress and JD(S)' plea against the appointment of KG Bopaiah as the pro tem Speaker KG Bopaiah. However, it allowed the live telecast of the trust vote.

Ahead of the trust vote, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy said that it wasn't an important day for him. "The important days will come in future. Till 4 pm, BJP will try to poach our MLAs. All the MLAs are together; no one is going to go to the other side," he said.

Ramalinga Reddy claimed that Congress MLA will defy the party whip during the trust vote on Saturday. "Physically he is not with us, but he is in contact with our leaders... He will definitely vote for us" he said.

Chief Minister BS Yeddyrappa, who will be facing the floor test on Saturday, has reached Shangri-La Hotel for the BJP legislature meeting. Appearing confident, BS Yeddyurappa urged his supporters to stay calm and said that they would be celebrating at 5 pm.

Buses carrying Congress MLAs reached Hilton Hotel in Bengaluru ahead of their oath-taking ceremony and the floor test in Karnataka Assembly.

The Supreme Court directive on Friday to hold a floor test in the Karnataka Assembly on Saturday led to heightened political activity in the state, with the Congress-JD(S) post-poll alliance sure of Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa losing the battle and the BJP sounding confident to sail through.

The Supreme Court had in its Thursday morning order rejected Yeddyurappa's plea, made through senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, asking for at least a week's time to face the floor test, and directed it to be conducted on Saturday instead.

A bench of Justice AK Sikri, Justice SA Bobde and Justice Ashok Bhushan on Friday said the pro tem Speaker, conventionally the senior-most member of the Assembly, would administer the newly-elected members their oath and then conduct the floor test.

The court junked Attorney General KK Venugopal's suggestion that the floor test be conducted through secret ballot. The court also barred Yeddyurappa from taking any policy decisions till the floor test.

On Friday evening, the confrontation between the two sides once again reached the Supreme Court, with the Congress claiming that the appointment of BJP legislator KG Bopaiah as pro tem Speaker by the Governor "violates every single constitutional norm" of senior-most member being appointed to the post.

Yeddyurappa was on Thursday morning sworn-in as the chief minister after the 12 May election threw up a hung Assembly. The BJP won 104 of the 222 seats, falling eight short of the 112-halfway mark. The Congress bagged 78 seats and the JD(S) 37.

The court also restrained the chief minister from nominating an Anglo-Indian member. Following the apex court order, Yeddyurappa told reporters in Bengaluru that he was confident of proving his majority in the House. "We welcome the Supreme Court order of floor test at 4 pm on Saturday. We are confident of proving our majority," he said. Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar, who was election in-charge of the BJP in Karnataka, also expressed similar confidence.

On the other hand, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said the BJP's "bluff" has been called. "The BJP's bluff that it will form the government, even without the numbers, has been called by the court. Stopped legally, they will now try money and muscle, to steal the mandate," he tweeted. Congress communications in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala told reporters in Delhi that they will bring the matter of Bopaiah's appointment before the court.

He said Congress member RV Deshpande was the senior-most member of the House.

Bopaiah, 62, is a three-time legislator. He was speaker during the BJP rule in the state from 2008-13. Surjewala said Bopaiah has been indicted by the apex court. "People of Karnataka are determined to foil and defeat these evil and nefarious designs of Governor Vajubhai Vala, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah," he said. Party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said the BJP will be defeated in floor test and that Yeddyurappa had exhibited "desperation" in becoming the chief minister. Singhvi referred to Venugopal's suggestion and took a dig at the Modi government, saying that trust vote is never conducted through secret ballot.

However, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused the Congress of "murdering the mandate" in Karnataka after being "rejected" by the people of state with its numbers coming down from 122 to 78.

"The Congress has welcomed the Supreme Court's decision. Some days back they had questioned the Supreme Court verdict in the case of judge Loya's death. They even tried to impeach the CJI," he said. Patra said both "prayers" of the Congress to the apex court to quash Governor's decision to invite the BJP to form government and to invite the Congress-JD-S instead have been rejected. "Yet the Congress is claiming victory, like Rahul Gandhi had claimed 'moral victory' after defeat in Gujarat elections," he said.

Meanwhile, both Congress and JD(S) leaders said they had shifted legislators to Hyderabad to prevent the BJP from "poaching" them.

In Bengaluru, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said it is surprising that the Congress and the JD(S), which together have the support of 117 legislators including two Independents, were not invited to form a government by the governor.

Siddaramaiah held a crucial meeting with newly-elected Congress MLAs in Hyderabad to discuss the strategy to be adopted during the floor test.

With inputs from agencies