Shah defends BJPs efforts to form govt in Karnataka

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 21

BJP chief Amit Shah on Monday defended party decision to form the government in Karnataka, terming the Congress-JD (S) coalition “apavitra gathbandhan” (impure coalition).

“If we had not tried to form government, it would have been against the mandate of the people. I don't see anything wrong in it,” Shah said while addressing the media for the first time after the Karnataka Assembly floor test and the controversies that preceded.

“I don't think it was a confused mandate because the BJP was short of just seven MLAs,” he said, hitting out at both at the Congress and the JD(S).

“The Congress should tell the people what they are celebrating. Are they celebrating there status as PPP? JD(S) should also explain what they are celebrating,” he questioned.

Accusing the Congress of using all the underhand means in these elections, Shah said they should explain that loss in 14 states was big or win in couple of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies.

Karnataka marks the entry of the BJP in the South, he said, calling Congress-JD (S) as "adha adhura" win.

Notably, Yeddyurappa announced his decision to quit even before the floor test was called out.

Winning as many as 104 of the 224 Assembly constituencies, the  BJP emerged as single largest party in the recently held elections.

Flanked by Union mnisters Ananth Kumar and Piyush Goyal, Shah thanked people of Karnataka and BJP workers for the party's performance by spreading its message across the state.

“We increased the vote share of the party in the elections centred around poor governance, farmers' distress and law and order of the Congress-led government. All these factors are indicative of extremely poor government," he said.

The Centre gave maximum help by way of projects and monetary help to the state, Shah added.

“The mandate given by people of Karnataka is anti-Congress, let there be no confusion. Half of their ministers lost, their CM lost his seat,” he said.

The BJP chief said, “Yeddyurappa never asked for seven days. It is a lie. If they had not held captive their MLAs in hotels and resorts, people would have told them to support BJP.”

"There was no question of breaking Congress-JD (S) because till then they had not even staked claim. So how can BJP be accused of 'jor-tor ki rajneeti'," Shah asked.