BJP practicing 'Chanakyaneeti', says Shiv Sena on Karnataka government formation

Shiv Sena has lashed out at its ally BJP over the recent political developments in Karnataka and the role played by the Governor in it. Even on Thursday, the Shiv Sena had expressed unhappiness over the swearing-in of BS Yeddyurappa as the Karnataka Chief Minister and said that Governor Vajubhai Vala should have invited the Congress-JDS combine, which has the required numbers, to form the government first.

An article in Sena's mouthpiece Saamna took a bitter jibe at the BJPO and said, "If Congress would have done the same, it would have been called the murder of democracy, but it is absolutely valid if BJP is doing it."

The article also called Governor a 'polite servant' of the BJP, adding, "What BJP is doing in Karnataka is Chanakyaneeti. Those who don't understand it, are not just fools, but also traitors."

The BJP emerged as the single largest party by winning 104 seats in the Karnataka assembly elections, but the Congress, with 78 seats, and JD (S), with 38 seats, cobbled up an alliance and staked a claim to form a government as they have support of a total of 118 MLAs, including 2 independents.

The political temparatures are soaring high in Bengaluru after Karnataka assembly elections result. The Congress and the JD (S) were left fuming after Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala on Wednesday evening allowed the BJP, which emerged as the single largest party in assembly elections, to form the government and prove majority on the floor of the House within 15 days. The Congress had approached the Supreme Court and contended that the Governor's decision to call BJP for government formation first was unconstitutional. The Congress had sought court's intervention in the matter and demanded a stay on swearing in. The apex court, however, refused to stay the swearing in of Yeddyurappa.

In a veiled attack on the Karnataka Governor's decision to invite the BJP to form government and prove majority first, the Shiv Sena on Thursday (May 17) said Vajubhai Vala should have called 'those with maximum seats' first.

"BS Yeddyurappa has taken the oath but it's difficult to prove majority. Governor should have called those who had maximum numbers. When this happens people say, loktantra ki hatya ho gayi, lekin jab desh mein loktantra bacha hi nahi hai toh hatya kiski hogi," Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut told ANI on Thursday.