"We are one", Kumaraswamy's stern message to BJP

The gathering of leaders, being dubbed as a ‘show of strength' by the opposition, was aimed at sending a message to the BJP.

After being sworn-in as the Karnataka Chief Minister in presence of a galaxy of opposition leaders, HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday gave a stern message to the BJP and said that the nation would witness a major political change in 2019.

The gathering of leaders, being dubbed as a 'show of strength' by the opposition, was aimed at sending a message to the BJP. The united opposition at the Kumaraswamy's swearing-in ought to give the BJP an idea what they would be facing in the next general election. It also shows how parties are hell-bent to defeat the BJP as bitter rivalries of the past were forgotten to come together.

Speaking to the media after swearing-in, Karnataka's new CM said, "Leaders who came from all over country wanted to give a message to the nation that we are one and in 2019 there will be a major change in political situation, they were not here to protect this govt, this govt will be protected by local Congress leaders and our leaders."

"This coalition government (Congress-JD(S)) will run better than any one party govt and we will concentrate on working for the public. We have decided to work together for the betterment of the state," HD Kumaraswamy added.

The recent series of political events in the aftermath of Karnataka Assembly elections can't be seen in isolation. The events have serious national bearings--not just how all these will have an impact in the big 2019 General Elections.

The coming together of diverse and often conflicting groups with the aim to defeat a common enemy--the Modi government--is definitely a show of strength which the opposition parties wanted to highlight during the swearing-in ceremony of HD Kumaraswamy.

Kumaraswamy took oath as the 25th Chief Minister of Karnataka at a ceremony today. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury were present at the event.