Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of indulging in the “purchase’’ of MLAs in Karnataka, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said the BJP had been taught a lesson that every institution in India could not be subverted. He spoke of Opposition parties working together to stop the BJP.
Moments after the BJP’s B.S. Yeddyurappa resigned as Chief Minister, Mr. Gandhi launched a scathing attack. He described Mr. Modi as a “dictator”, BJP president Amit Shah as a “murder accused”, and the RSS of trying to “usurp every institution”.
“You have seen how openly the Prime Minister has directly authorised the buying, purchase of our MLAs. The idea that the Prime Minister spreads around the country that he is fighting corruption is a blatant lie. He is doing everything to subvert this nation,” Mr. Gandhi told reporters.
The Congress president hit back at the BJP for disrespecting the national anthem.
“People saw how BJP MLAs and the Speaker left the House before the national anthem was played. It shows they don’t respect institutions. PM Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah do not respect any institution…This is the idea we are fighting,” he said. “Everybody in this country knows that the PM’s model of leadership is not that of a democratic person.”
Asked if the Congress would tie-up with regional players, Mr. Gandhi said, “In every State, we will protect the people’s voice. Wherever we feel that the BJP is attacking democracy, attacking institutions, attacking the Supreme Court, you will find the Congress. This means that all of us, the Opposition together, in a coordinated manner, will defeat the BJP.”
‘Democracy saved’
Meanwhile, in a tweet, the former Union Minister P. Chidambaram said: “With the proceedings live and every citizen becoming a pro tem Speaker, democracy in Karnataka was saved — for the time being.”
