Congress welcomes President's rule in Karnataka

The Congress party in Karnataka has welcomed the imposition of federal rule in Karnataka.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President M Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters that the imposition of federal rule had freed the state from a “corrupt, selfish and opportunistic alliance”.

Holding the JD (S) and the BJP responsible for the present situation in the State, Kharge hoped that the federal rule would usher in an efficient, honest and transparent administration.

Karnataka came under federal rule after Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government had approved Governor Rameshwar Thakur’s recommendation to the effect. Thakur had sent his recommendation to the federal government late on Monday night after Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy submitted his resignation in the wake of withdrawal of support to his Government by the BJP.

Though Karnataka has come under federal rule, its 224-member assembly has been kept alive, giving the Governor an opportunity to explore the possibilities forming a workable government in the near future as the term of the present assembly has 20 more months left.

The BJP has 79 MLAs while the Congress has 66 MLAs and the JD (S) 57 MLAs in the Assembly. Any political formation requires a minimum of 113 members to form a Government in Karnataka.

The sudden arrival of Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh in Bangalore has fuelled speculations over Congress trying to forge an alliance with the JD (S) to provide an alternative Government.