New Delhi, May 17: Ahead of BS Yeddyurappa's swearing-in as Karnataka Chief Minister on Thursday, Congress President Rahul Gandhi reacted to Karnataka Verdict and said BJP is 'making a mockery of our Constitution' by forming a government in the southern state.  Rahul took to Twitter and said, “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”.

Rahul further added saying, “This morning, while the BJP celebrates its hollow victory, India will mourn the defeat of democracy”. Yeddyurappa on Thursday took oath as the 23rd Chief Minister of Karnataka. Reports state that BJP is likely to announce the date for proving their majority in the house post-BS Yeddyurappa's swearing-in today.

Soon after the swearing-in ceremony, Congress leaders and MLAs have staged a dharna (sit-in protest) outside the Vidhan Soudha (Sabha) and protested against BSY taking the oath of office today without proving majority in the house.

While conducting a post-midnight hearing, the Supreme Court decided not to put a stay on Yeddyurappa’s swearing-in ceremony. On Thursday, at 9 AM Yeddyurappa took oath as the 23rd chief minister of Karnataka. The Congress and JD(S) pleaded for the same citing BJP's inadequate strength in the assembly to stake claim at forming the state government. Speaking to media after BSY's swearing-in, a dejected Siddaramaiah mumbled, "I have lost faith in democracy."

To recall, the Bharatiya Janata Party won 104 seats on the counting day but fell nine seats short of the majority mark of 113 in the 224-member Karnataka Assembly. Meanwhile, the Congress only managed 78 seats, dropping 44 seats from its previous tally. The Janata Dal (Secular), along with its ally the Bahujan Samaj Party, picked up 38 seats.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 17, 2018 10:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).