Surprised at Yeddyurappa withdrawing security for MLAs: H D Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru/ Mumbai: After two days of intense drama, B S Yeddyurappa today take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka after his party, the BJP, was invited to form government in the state.

The oath was administered to him by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala.

The BJP leader has been given 15 days to prove majority by the Governor on Wednesday evening. 

In an rare post-midnight hearing, the Supreme Court ruled out that it won't stop Yeddyurappa swearing-in. "As far as swearing-in is concerned, we are not restraining it, but we are making it subject to the outcome of the case," a three-judge bench, comprising Justices A K Sikri, S A Bobde and Ashok Bhushan, said after the stretched three-and-a-half long hours of hearing.

The Supreme Court will resume hearing the case on Friday at 10.30 am and has ordered the BJP to produce the letters submitted by B S Yeddyurappa to the governor by then.

It is to be recalled that on the day of the voting in Karnataka, B S Yeddyurappa said that he will form the new government in the state on May 17 after thumping victory.

"I will fly to Delhi on the 15th once the results are announced and meet Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi. I will invite him and others for the swearing in ceremony which is going to happen most likely on the 17th," he declared.

Here are the LIVE updates from Karnataka:

09:20 pm: Ramalinga Reddy, Congress MLA on being shifted out of Bengaluru said,
"We will be shifted today. We will tell you more later. JD(S) MLAs are not coming along. The place has not been decided yet."

09:15 pm: Ghulam Nabi Azad​ said, "BJP can't use 2 rules for 1 game. BJP, Central government and their governors have been exposed in front of the nation. It should be the duty of central government to protect the constitution and democracy but it's unfortunate that we have to protect these from the central government." 

09:00 pm: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "I condemn horse trading, in general, as it's bad for all. We always respect democratic institutions. Problem is today somebody may come in power & tomorrow he may not be in power but if we violate the constitution, it's going to have an adverse effect on us."

08:26 pm: National President of JD(S) HD Deve Gowda had a telephonic conversation with Congress President Rahul Gandhi over the current political situation in the state of Karnataka.

08:20 pm: Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala appoints Prabhuling K Navadgi as the Advocate General for the state of Karnataka in place of Madhusudan R Naik, who has resigned from the post.

07:54 pm: "BJP people are doing horse-trading. This is unethical and against the principles of democracy. No MLA will yield to their demand," Congress leader Siddaramaiah said.

07:50 pm: Delhi: Congress leaders held a prayer meeting at Raj Ghat this evening in protest against Karnataka Governor for inviting B S Yeddyurappa to form government there.

(Photo: ANI/Twitter)

07:46 pm: "It's our responsibility to give security to our MLAs. I'm really surprised to see how Yeddyurappa is behaving. After taking oath he has already transferred 4 IPS officers. BJP's movement is laughable. All 38 MLAs are with me," said JD(S)' H D Kumaraswamy.

07:35 pm: "There has been murder of democracy. Let us wait till tomorrow,we feel justice will be in favour of us. Already a chaos is happening throughout country. In Bihar, Goa, Manipur&other states where we were single largest party, they're asking for same formula," Congress leader D K Shivakumar said.

07:12 pm: “Whatever BJP has done in Karnataka is in accordance with the rule book. Congress is ill informed and as a result is making these funny claims. They don't have faith in their MLAs as they have held them captive in a resort. JD(S) and Congress are scared after being exposed,” Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said.

07:02 pm: "We're seeking appointment from Governor for tomorrow. We were single largest party and had immediately met Governor after results were announced but we weren't invited to form government. Based on recent developments, if BJP can be given chance to form government, why not us," former Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh said.

06:20 pm: "This is not the system. Irrespective of whose govt it is, it is their duty to provide protection, provide security to the elected representatives," says KH Muniyappa, Congress, on security withdrawn from outside Eagleton Resort near Bengaluru where Congress MLAs are lodged. 

06:14 pm: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa visited Siddaganga Mutt and met Sri Shivakumara Swami in Tumakuru.

(Photo: ANI/Twitter)

06:05 pm: Former Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and former Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma have sought time from respective Governors of the state for a meeting on Friday.

05:52 pm: Congress members and workers also staged protests in Jaipur and Mumbai against Karnataka Governor’s order.

05:43 pm: Members and workers of Congress staged protest in Lucknow against Karnataka Governor for inviting B S Yeddyurappa to form government there.

(Photo: ANI/Twitter)

05:41 pm: Visuals from outside Eagleton Resort near Bengaluru where Congress MLAs are lodged. Police forces stationed outside the resort have been removed.

(Photo: ANI/Twitter)

05:22 pm: “How will the BJP prove majority? Amit Shah has only one formula, horse-trading or sending agencies like CBI and ED behind MLAs of other parties. It's dictatorship by the BJP. If we (Opposition) are not united today then what is happening in Karnataka and has happened in Bihar earlier will be repeated in Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan,” RJD's Tejashwi Yadav said.

05:04 pm: All India Congress Committee General Secretary Ashok Gehlot issues letter requesting all Pradesh Congress Committees, leaders and workers to organise state-wide dharnas at state capitals and district Head quarters on Friday to protest against Karnataka Governor for inviting B S Yedurappa to form government in Karnataka.

(Photo: ANI/Twitter)

04:40 pm: Congress-JD(S) moves fresh plea in Supreme Court challenging Governor's decision to nominate an Anglo-Indian MLA to Assembly. Court to hear their plea on Friday along with the main case against Karnataka Governor for inviting B S Yeddyurappa to form government.

04:25 pm: "Vajubhai Vala had sacrificed his seat for Narendra Modi earlier and today he sacrificed Constitution and democracy for him. He conducted first encounter of the Constitution today when he invited BJP to form government. Today when he swore-in B S Yeddyurappa, he conducted its second encounter," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

04:21 pm: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa arrives at BJP party office in Bengaluru.

04:10 pm: "B S Yeddyurappa is going to be the Chief Minister for a day, half of which has already gone by," Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala.

04:04 pm: "We would be holding a one-day dharna tomorrow (Friday) against the murder of democracy in Karnataka. We also request the Bihar Governor to dissolve the state government and like in Karnataka invite the single largest party, which in Bihar is the RJD," Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav said. 

03:51 pm: “We are 117, out of that 1 or 2 are in touch with our leaders. They will come back, nothing to worry,” Ramalinga Reddy said when asked if Congress MLAs Pratap Gowda Patil and Anand Singh are missing.

03:50 pm: Congress Goa in-charge Chella Kumar to leave for Goa today. He along with other party leaders will meet the Governor tomorrow and say that being the single largest party Congress should be invited to form government in the state. If necessary Congress can parade its MLAs also at Governor house: ANI sources

02:35 pm: Another Congress MLA from Karnataka Pratap Gowda Patil is also missing now, say reports. Patil is Congress legislator from Maski constituency. 

Patil first became MLA in 2008 from the BJP ticket. However, he switched loyalty in 2013 and contested from Congress ticket and retained his seat. In the recently concluded assembly elections in the state, Patil won with a slight margin of 213 votes.

02:28 pm: Punjab Chief Minister and Congress leader Amarinder Singh said, "The (Karnataka) Governor is going against the Constitution. The role of Governor is being dictated by the government. He was a RSS member and a Cabinet Minister under Modi Saheb in Gujarat. It is obvious that he will listen to the Centre." 

01:55 pm: Advocate NP Amrutesh files PIL in Karnataka High Court against BJP forming government in the state. PIL states court should not allow defection of MLAs to BJP through resigning or cross voting.

01:11 pm: Speaking about the politics in Karnataka, senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani said, “What has BJP said to Governor, that he did such a stupid action? Order of Governor is open invitation to corruption.”

Jethmalani has approached the Supreme Court against Karnataka Governor’s invitation to BS Yeddyurappa for forming the government in the state.

12:55 pm: Punjab Chief Minister and Congress leader Captain Amarinder Singh tweeted, "Democracy has been brazenly manipulated, mutilated and massacred in Karnataka."

12:51 pm: "It (BJP) is a short lived government government, we are confident because we have the majority. We will fight for justice. 100 per cent, all our MLAs are with us," says Congress' DK Shivakumar.

12:43 pm: "It is a conspiracy to destroy the constitution made by Baba Saheb Ambedkar, since they (BJP) came to power they have been misusing government machinery, thereby attacking democracy," BSP chief Mayawati on BJP's B S Yeddyurappa being sworn in as Karnataka Chief Minister. 

12:32 pm: "Independent MLAs are in touch with us, we will get the numbers", BJP MLA B Sriramulu on being asked about proving majority in floor test.

12:21 pm: "All Congress and JD(S) MLAs are here, all 118 MLAs," Siddaramaiah at protest outside Raj Bhawan. 

11:54 am: "Wait till tomorrow or day after tomorrow," says Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on floor test.

11:47 am: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said, “Congress-JD(S) combine are trying to grab power through ‘immoral’ post-poll alliance.”

11:46 am: “I am sure of winning vote of confidence. My government will complete 5 years,” B S Yeddyurappa said in his first press meet after taking over as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

11:37 am: Senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani mentioned before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bench of Dipak Misra, justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud his application for urgent hearing against Karnataka Governor Virubhai Vala for inviting B S Yedyurappa for making government. The Bench directed him to mention it on Friday before an appropriate bench.

10:45 am: “I will request my father (HD Deve Gowda) to take the lead and talk to all regional parties and show how BJP is destroying democratic systems, we have to come together to protect interests of the country,” H D Kumaraswamy said.

10:40 am: JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy said, “Our plan is to safeguard MLAs. BJP and their ministers are working to purchase MLAs, people should know about attitude of the Central government. BJP does not have majority, how has the Governor behaved? He has misused his office.”

10:33 am: BJP national president Amit Shah tweeted:

10:32 am: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa reaches Vidhan Soudha.

10:31 am: Security heightened outside Vidhana Soudha, police personnel deployed at the Karnataka Assembly where Congress is protesting after B S Yeddyurappa was sworn in as chief minister.

10:30 am: Aam Aadmi Party on Twitter said, “Governor in Karnataka is doing the same as LG is doing in Delhi, both are playing with the Constitutional values.”

10:22 am: Union Minister Piyush Goyal congratulated B S Yeddyurappa.

10:05 am: Former BJP leader Yashwant Sinha on Twitter said, “What is happening in Karnataka today is a rehearsal for what will happen after the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi.”

09:52 am: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa along with BJP leaders Ananth Kumar and Murlidhar Rao.

Photo: ANI | Twitter

09:28 am: BJP workers dance and celebrate outside Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru after their leader B S Yeddyurappa was sworn in as Chief Minister of Karnataka.

09:13 am: Soon after the swearing in ceremony, Karnataka BJP said in its tweet:

09:04 am: Karnataka Governor hands over bouquet to newly-sworn Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.

Photo: ANI | Twitter

09:03 am: People at Raj Bhawan chant "Modi-Modi" as B S Yeddyurappa swears in as the Chief Minister.

09:02 am: B S Yeddyurappa sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka. 

Photo: ANI | Twitter

09:01 am: B S Yeddyurappa takes oath as the Karnataka Chief Minister.

Photo: ANI | Twitter

08:58 am: Governor Vajubhai Vala arrives at the venue where B S Yeddyurappa will swear-in as the chief minister 

08:56 am: BS Yeddyurappa reaches Raj Bhawan.

Photo: ANI | Twitter

08:51 am: Time has been given by Governor. I think we will get the support. BJP is the single largest party. We are going to prove majority on floor. Confident of having majority. We would have smooth, stable running of govt for 5 years. Writing is on the wall, Siddaramaiah and Congress have been rejected. This is the 22nd state, what more is required? People have said no to Siddaramaiah. People won't allow an unholy alliance. We would be successful, Yeddyurappa taking Oath today, all requisites would follow.: Ananth Kumar, BJP

Photo: ANI | Twitter

08:50 am: Karnataka Chief Minister designate B S Yeddyurappa offers prayers at a temple before his swearing-in ceremony.

Photo: ANI | Twitter

08:49 am: Sriramulu, who is expected to take oath as Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, arrives at Raj Bhavan.

08:47 am: Congress President Rahul Gandhi in his tweet said: "The BJP’s irrational insistence that it will form a Govt. in Karnataka, even though it clearly doesn’t have the numbers, is to make a mockery of our Constitution. 

This morning, while the BJP celebrates its hollow victory, India will mourn the defeat of democracy.

08:45 am: Swearing-in ceremony of B S Yeddyurappa to begin shortly; Union Ministers JP Nadda, Dharmendra Pradhan and Prakash Javadekar present at Raj Bhavan.

Photo: ANI | Twitter

08:41 am: In its Twitter page, Karnataka BJP said the "golden period for Karnataka set to return with B S Yeddyurappa swearing in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka."

08:40 am: This is the third time B S Yeddyurappa will be sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

In 2007, he was chief minister for 7 days (from 12 November - 19 November). Yeddyurappa was sworn in as the 25th Chief Minister of Karnataka on November 12,  2007. However, JD(S) refused to support his government over disagreement on sharing of ministries which resulted in his resignation as Chief Minister on November 19, 2007.

The following year, Yeddyurappa led the BJP to a historic victory in Karnataka. He took the oath of office as Chief Minister on May 30, 2008. He remained the chief minister for 3 years, 62 days before he was forced to resign over an illegal mining case.

08:35 am: B S Yeddyurappa leaves for Raj Bhawan where he will take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

Photo: ANI | Twitter

08:30 am: Overnight hearing in the Supreme Court

Here's what happened in the apex court

May 16: 10:30 pm: Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) move the Supreme Court.

May 16: 11:00 pm: Supreme Court registrat scrutinises the petition filed by the Congress and the JD(S).

May 17: 12:25 am: Registrar reached Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra's residence.

May 17: 01:00: Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra constitutes 3-judge bench.

May 17: 02:10 am: Hearing begins in the Supreme Court.

May 17: 05:30 am: Hearing concludes in the Supreme Court. The court after the hearing ruled out that it won't stop B S Yeddyurappa swearing-in. "As far as swearing-in is concerned, we are not restraining it, but we are making it subject to the outcome of the case." 

08:05 am: Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's letter inviting BJP to form government in the state.

Photo: ANI | Twitter

07:35 am: Visuals from outside Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru. B S Yeddyurappa to take oath as Karnataka Chief Minister at 9 am.

Photo: ANI | Twitter

07:15 am: Visuals from outside B S Yeddyurappa's residence, in Bengaluru.

Photo: ANI | Twitter

07:09 am: B S Yeddyurappa on his Twitter sought support and blessings of people.

06:49 am: BJP Karnataka tweets a post on its Twitter handle which read: “While we will start a golden chapter in the history of Karnataka, the people of India, like the SC, will reject Congress’s mercy petition.”

06:41 am: B S Yeddyurappa had been invited by Karnataka governor Vajubhai Vala, on Tuesday evening, to form government in Karnataka.

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