Yeddyurappa drops the mic: How things led to his resignation
What's the story
Minutes before the floor test, Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa in his speech declared, "I have failed to secure the numbers," and resigned from the top post merely 2.5 days after coming to power. Attacking Congress-JD(S) alliance, he said, "Those, who were swearing on the names of each others' fathers and calling each other names before polls, have formed unholy alliance." Here's what happened.
Allegations
Act 1: Allegations of horse-trading, who said what?
Karnataka's political drama intensified after Congress released audio clips one after another accusing the BJP of trying to poach its MLAs before the decisive floor test. In one of the audio clips, CM Yeddyurappa can be heard purportedly offering Congress lawmaker BC Patil a ministerial position, while in another clip, controversial BJP MLA Sreeramulu was allegedly offering Rs. 100 crore.
Avoids poaching
Act 2: Now, Congress keeps its numbers intact
BJP's only chance to power was through the support of Opposition MLAs, which didn't happen. About half an hour before the floor test, 'missing' Congress MLA Anand Kumar, resurfaced. To make sure he won't go 'missing' again, Congress leader DK Shivakumar sat right next to him, giving an account of the heated arithmetic between the Congress and the BJP over horse-trading.
Twitter Post
Congress-JD(S) celebrate Yeddyurappa's resignation
Bengaluru: Congress' DK Shivkumar, JD(S)'s HD Kumaraswamy other MLAs at Vidhana Soudha after resignation of BJP's BS Yeddyurappa as Chief Minister of Karnataka. pic.twitter.com/qdGu8zGXWK
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2018
Details
Act 3: Better late than never, RaGa addresses press conference
This victory must have come as a ray of hope for the Congress President Rahul Gandhi who only after Yeddyurappa's resignation, addressed a press conference. Taking on the Prime Minister, he said, "PM directly authorized purchasing of MLAs in Karnataka, so the idea that PM spreads in the country that he is fighting corruption, is a blatant lie, he is corrupt."
Twitter Post
Rahul Gandhi has lost his mind: Ananth Kumar
What is he saying about PM Modi? This is the PM who has provided a scam less govt. If he puts such an allegation, the people will say he has lost his mind: Ananth Kumar, BJP on Rahul Gandhi's statement, 'PM is corruption.' #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/hYcCudC3EG
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2018
Majority wins
Picture-abhi-baaki-hai: With BJP out, smooth sailing for Congress-JD(S)?
The alliance will most likely have a smooth sailing from here with their numbers intact at 117 lawmakers, 6 more than the majority needed. H D Kumaraswamy, the CM candidate, has indicated that May 21 will be the swearing-in date for him and the JDS-Congress coalition. Ironically, WB CM Mamata Banerjee called it a victory of democracy, but has been mum on Bengal violence.