BJP being given time for horse-trading, says Yechury after Karnataka election result

  • Pooja Shali
  • New Delhi
  • May 16, 2018
  • UPDATED 20:03 IST

HIGHLIGHTS

  • BJP won 104 seats, Congress 78, and JDS 38 in Karnataka assembly.
  • It is now governor's discretion on who forms govt in Karnataka.
  • Yechury attacked TMC for violence reported from West Bengal panchayat polls.
Sitaram Yechury condemns violence reported from Bengal Panchayat polls
Veteran CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury (Photo: ANI)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • BJP won 104 seats, Congress 78, and JDS 38 in Karnataka assembly.
  • It is now governor's discretion on who forms govt in Karnataka.
  • Yechury attacked TMC for violence reported from West Bengal panchayat polls.

Veteran leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Sitaram Yechury said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is being given additional time to indulge in horse-trading and unethical use of money power.

"Governors appointed during the same government's tenure, in Manipur, Meghalaya and Goa had not invited the single-largest party, Congress. BJP was invited based on the post-poll arrangements. Why is the same principle not being applied in Karnataka?" said Yechury.

Yechury in a tweet said, 'Sauce for the goose is sauce for gander' making a direct charge against the BJP.

"They clearly are being given time to facilitate horse-trading and very unethical use of money power. The governors followed a certain procedure for three states. The issue was discussed in the parliament also. At that time, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had replied to me saying that it was completely fair for the Governor to call a party with post-poll alliance," added Yechury.

Yechury quoted previous court verdicts, including one by Supreme Court, to substantiate his argument.

"There is another precedent, a 1998 order by President of India KR Narayanan, whereby he had said that Vajpayee could become the PM by commanding majority. It is absolutely fair to follow precedents to give chance to those who have majority on paper. Currently, it seems a violation."

Congress MLAs have been rushed to a resort in Karnataka for the next few days due to the fear that they will defect to another party.

While BJP has 104 seats, Congress and JD (S) have expressed confidence for a likely coalition with Congress offering unconditional support to HD Kumaraswamy. In fact, Kumaraswamy lashed out against the BJP at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon accusing BJP of horse-trading. Kumaraswamy also said that MLAs were being offered Rs 100 crore.

Apart from the theatrics in Karnataka, violence is being reported from Bengal during panchayat elections there. Death toll has escalated with unidentified men even seen running with ballot boxes.

"This is naked murder of democracy. The state government (led by Trinamool Congress), under whose authority all this is happening, is squarely responsible for the violence. Forty-five people, including some polling officers, have reportedly died so far," Yechury said.

The Left Front ruled in Bengal for a record number of years. However, the CPI (M) veteran now says that the faith of the people in elections is being questioned.

"Faith in elections has to re-established. People shouldn't become cynical of polls. Elections have to be conducted freely and fairly, and also peacefully. Those violating it should be punished by law. We should allow democracy to prevail by those who claim to have a majority on paper. Those parties should be asked to prove numbers in stipulated time," said the CPI (M) leader.

ALSO READ | From Sangh to Secular: Congress-JDS bhai-bhai a far cry from pre-poll rivalry

ALSO WATCH | Karnataka Assembly results: BJP, JDS-Congress battle it out at Raj Bhavan

Do You Like This Story?