BJP to protest across state as HDK gets set to take over as CM

The BJP in Karnataka would hold protests across the state as H D Kumaraswamy would take oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

The BJP, which is the single largest party with 104 MLAs in the 224-member Assembly whose effective strength is 221, would not allow Kumaraswamy to have a smooth running.

The BJP has dubbed the Congress-JD(S) alliance as "unholy", and claimed the government will not complete its full term.

The saffron party has decided to boycott the oath- taking ceremony, and will observe "anti-popular mandate day" tomorrow to protest the formation of the coalition government.

Senior BJP leaders would hold a protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi's statue here, while its workers in black attire will hold demonstrations in districts, state BJP general secretary C T Ravi told reporters.

Along with Kumaraswamy, KPCC president, Dr. G Parameshwar will be sworn in as the deputy chief minister. Congress's Ramesh Kumar, a former minister, will be the next Speaker, while the Deputy Speaker's post will go to the JD(S).

The Congress would have 22 ministers and JD(S) 12, he said, adding they would be sworn in after the floor test slated for Thursday.

Kumaraswamy will be the second chief minister to take oath in Karnataka within a week, after BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa stepped down without facing the floor test on May 19 in the face of imminent defeat.

The JD(S)'s chief minister-designate said portfolio distribution will be discussed the day after tomorrow and a coordination committee will be formed to facilitate smooth functioning of the coalition.

Kumaraswamy, the third son of JD(S) supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, will be administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Vajubhai Vala at 4:30 pm in front of Vidhana Soudha, seat of the government in Bengaluru.

A huge stage has been erected in front of the majestic stone building for the ceremony where a host of national and regional leaders are expected to be present to send a message across to the BJP over the shape of things to come in 2019.

It will be Kumaraswamy's second term in office. He had earlier headed the JD(S)-BJP coalition government for 20 months between February 2006 and October 2007.