Congress leaders from across the country have criticised Karnataka Governor’s decision to invite BS Yeddyurappa to form government in Karnataka, after the state gave a fractured verdict on 15 May.

Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday said that democracy has been brazenly manipulated, mutilated and massacred in Karnataka.

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Punjab CM in a tweet said, “Democracy has been brazenly manipulated, mutilated and massacred in Karnataka. It does not augur well for the future of India. All eyes are now on the Supreme Court to come out in protection of the Constitutional ethos on which the very foundation of our nation rests”.

Democracy has been brazenly manipulated, mutilated and massacred in Karnataka. It does not augur well for the future of India. All eyes are now on the Supreme Court to come out in protection of the Constitutional ethos on which the very foundation of our nation rests.

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) May 17, 2018

After Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala invited BJP legislative party leader BS Yeddyurappa to form the government in the state, a move which was slammed by the Congress, as they alleged that the JD(S)-Congress alliance had majority with 116 MLAs in the 222 member House.

The Congress had approached Supreme Court Chief Justice Dipak Misra for an urgent hearing on the matter on, however the apex court did not put a stay on the swearing-in ceremony.

Also read | BS Yeddyurappa sworn-in as Chief Minister of Karnataka

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot along with several leaders held a protest outside Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru against the swearing-in ceremony of BS Yeddyurappa as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

Protesting outside #Karnataka Vidhana Soudha against the swearing-in of B.S. Yeddyurappa as CM #KarnatakaElections2018 pic.twitter.com/keRBhn2Ugy

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) May 17, 2018

Former Union Minister P Chidambaram in a tweet said, “I salute the Supreme Court. If I were Mr Yeddyurappa, I will not take oath until the hearing at 10.30 am on Friday, 18th May”.

I salute the Supreme Court. If I were Mr Yeddyurappa, I will not take oath until the hearing at 10.30 am on Friday, 18th May.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) May 17, 2018

He was referring to the apex court’s agreement to see the letters dated May 15 and 16 written by Yeddyurappa to Governor Vala, staking claim to form government and fixing the next hearing for 18 May at 10.30 am.

“Mr Yedyurappa’s letter to the Governor will seal his fate. There is no mention of a number bigger than 104. The Governor’s invitation does not mention any number at all!”, Chidambaram said in another tweet.

Mr Yedyurappa’s letter to the Governor will seal his fate. There is no mention of a number bigger than 104. The Governor’s invitation does not mention any number at all!

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) May 17, 2018

Congress leader and spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala called the oath of CM Yeddyurappa a “farce” and “a fraud being played on majority”.

A farcical Oath of CM’s post,
A fraud being played on majority,

A treachery with Constitution,
A deception with democracy,

That is Gov Karnataka illegally swearing in #BSYeddyurappa-turning the Raj Bhavan into BJP Office.

This Black Spot on India’s democracy will be erased.

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) May 17, 2018

Another Congress leader, Jaiveer Shregill took to Twitter saying, “India is not witnessing “swearing-in” ceremony of below majority #Yeddyurappa #BJP Govt but “swallowing-in” of democratic/legal principles by Hon’ble Governor who chose to act like soldier of #BJP rather than soldier of the Constitution”.

India is not witnessing “swearing-in” ceremony of below majority #Yeddyurappa #BJP Govt but “swallowing-in” of democratic/legal principles by Hon’ble Governor who chose to act like soldier of #BJP rather than soldier of the Constitution #KarnatakaVerdict

— Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) May 17, 2018

Of the 222 constituencies where polling was held on 12 May, the BJP won in 104, while the Congress won 78 and the JD-S 37 and BSP 1.