While BJP celebrates, India mourns defeat of democracy, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said that the BJP made "mockery of Constitution" by forming the government in Karnataka despite not having enough numbers.

Reacting to Karnataka Governor's invitation to BS Yeddyurappa to form the government, Rahul said that while BJP celebrated its "hollow victory", India mourned the “defeat of democracy”.

“The BJP’s irrational insistence that it will form a Govt. in Karnataka, even though it clearly doesn’t have the numbers, is to make a mockery of our Constitution. This morning, while the BJP celebrates its hollow victory, India will mourn the defeat of democracy,” the Congress president said.

Yeddyurappa took oath as the Chief Minister of Karnataka for the third time, even as his party was short of simple majority.

Also Read | BJP's BS Yeddyurappa takes oath as Karnataka CM; Congress-JD-S MLAs protest

Earlier on Wednesday, Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala invited Yeddyurappa to form the government in the state despite the fact that the BJP didn't have the numbers.

The Congress and the JD-S stiched a post-poll alliance in a bid to keep the BJP out of power. Both parties have 116 seats, five more than the required numbers to form the government.

They even staked claim to form the government and handed over a document of support signed by 115 MLAs to the Governor.

The Congress-JD-S moved the Supreme Court against the Governor's invitation to Yeddyurappa. In a rare post-midnight hearing, the Supreme Court refused to stay BS Yeddyurappa’s swearing-in as the state chief minister.

However, the apex court didn't quash the plea and said that it will be subject to the outcome of a writ petition filed by Congress & JD(S).