Notwithstanding the prohibitory orders imposed, the Janata Dal (Secular) workers in Old Mysore region broke into celebrations soon after B.S. Yeddyurappa announced his resignation, before seeking the vote of confidence in the Assembly on Saturday.
The workers were thrilled as it paved the way for JD(S) State president H.D. Kumaraswamy’s ascension as the Chief Minister in the post-poll alliance formula worked out by the Congress and the JD(S).
In Mysuru, the JD(S) activists burst crackers and distributed sweets in different parts of the city. A large group of party activists gathered at Agrahara and offered special prayers at the 101 Ganapathi Temple, besides bursting crackers and distributing sweets to the public. Early in the day, there were special prayers conducted at a few temples seeking divine benediction for Mr. Kumaraswamy’s victory and coconuts were broken.
In a region where the Congress and JD(S) fought a bitter and a no-holds barred battle bordering on hostility, the JD(S) workers seem to have warmed up to the coalition as evident in the statement of a former Mayor who said “past does not matter” as a secular government was in place with JD(S) in power.
In Mandya and Ramanagaram districts, which constitutes the core of the Vokkaliga heartland, the JD(S) had made a clean sweep winning 10 out of 11 seats. In Mandya, workers gathered outside the party offices, screamed ecstatically and fluttered the party flags and distributed sweets. While festive atmosphere prevailed in and around the JD(S) offices, the mood was reverse at the BJP offices as workers were content watching the proceedings on television.
Senior leaders of both the JD(S) and Congress were euphoric and aired similar views on development.
Marithibbe Gowda, JD(S) MLC, felt that the BJP had lost the trust of the people of Karnataka by attempting a highly unethical approach to capture power involving the “forcible extraction of support” of MLAs, who had won on symbol of other parties, to its “minority government”.
“When the BJP knew it did not have a majority, why did it stake claim and form the government? Had the BJP decided to be in the Opposition, the party would have received sympathy for not being able to form the government despite emerging as the single largest party,” he said before adding that the JD(S), however, is looking forward to its long-cherished desire of seeing Mr. Kumaraswamy return as the Chief Minister.
In Hassan
Well before Mr. Yeddyurappa could announce his decision to resign, JD(S) Youth Wing State secretary Raghu Hongere put up a post on his Facebook account appealing to the party workers to assemble at the Hemavati Statue at 4.05 p.m. for celebrations. The party workers burst crackers and waved flags. A group of workers also took out a bike rally in the city.
Similar celebrations were held at Channarayapatna and other places of the district, where the JD(S) has strong support. The party has won six of seven seats in the district.
