Victory of democracy, says AP CM Chandrababu Naidu on BJP government's fall in Karnataka

VIJAYAWADA: Launching a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said they made a mockery of democracy. Reacting to Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa's resignation even before facing the floor test in the Legislative Assembly, Naidu described the development as a victory of democracy.

He spoke to JD (S) leader and Karnataka CM-designate H D Kumaraswamy to congratulate him. Chandrababu Naidu received an invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Kumaraswamy on Monday. Naidu who is scheduled to tour Anantpur on Monday is most likely to visit Bengaluru to attend the function.

"As a Chief Minister and as someone with strong belief in democracy, I welcome this. Everyone in the country will be happy about this development,'' he said and wanted to know what kind of message Modi and Shah were trying to give the youth by denigrating the country's democratic system and encouraging corruption.

READ | Yeddyurappa resigns; Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala invites Kumaraswamy to form JD(S)-Congress coalition government in 15 days

"The Prime Minister vowed to bring back black money from Swiss banks and other foreign countries. But his own party paid up to Rs 10,000 for each vote in the Karnataka elections and brought back into politics Gali Janardhan Reddy, who looted the mineral wealth of the country, and gave him a seat,'' Naidu said.

"I wholeheartedly congratulate the Supreme Court for thwarting the designs of the BJP to misuse the institution of governor."

During an interaction with the members of self-help groups and media, he said the BJP was adopting different tactics in different States for its selfish ends. When Naidu asked whether they were happy with resignation of Yeddyurappa, the women replied 'yes'.

Alleging that the BJP betrayed the people of Andhra Pradesh by not according special category status and by not implementing the provisions of the AP State Reorganisation Act, he said that Telugu people in Karnataka responded positively to the call given by the TDP and voted against that party.

Deputy Chief Minister KE Krishna Murthy was of the view that the curse of AP people resulted in BJP's debacle. At least now the BJP should learn a lesson, he said. He went on to caution Congress and JD (S) leaders to be on their guard lest the BJP would create law and order problems to impose President's rule in Karnataka.

Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu demanded that BJP leaders tender an apology for insulting the Constitution of India by forming government without having enough majority. The Karnataka Governor should also take responsibility for the undemocratic practice, he said.

Faulting the BJP members for leaving the House without respecting the National Anthem, he said that they owed an apology to the nation.

Agriculture Minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy said the Karnataka debacle was the beginning of the downfall of the BJP in the country. It was also bad news for YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy, who, he said, was enjoying a happy relationship the BJP.