Maharashtra opposition leaders hail 'victory of democracy' in Karnataka

Maharashtra's main opposition Congress and NCP hailed the outcome of Saturday's quick-paced political developments in adjoining Karnataka as "a victory of democracy".

Leader of Opposition in Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil termed it as "a big victory of democracy" after Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa quit before the vote of confidence in the legislature.

"This is a harbinger of change for the entire countrya The Bharatiya Janata Party has been completely exposed before the people of the country and the situation will now change in India," said the Congress leader.

Leader of Opposition in Council Dhananjay Munde, of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) said "Rs 100 crore lost, but the 100 crore people of the country have won" and this is a clear "victory of peoples' power over money power".

Maharashtra Congress President Ashok Chavan said this was "a victory of democratic and secular forces" in Karnataka.

"The Congress-JDS legislators stood firmly and did not fall prey to the allurements of Modi-Shah-Yeddy, showing solidarity for democracy and secularism," he said.

Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam tweeted: "My salutes to the newly-elected Congress-JDS MLAs who rejected the Rs 100-150 crore bribe offers to each by the BJP to sell their souls. But they didn't do that for their commitment towards the party and ideology."

His party colleague and former Union Minister Milind Deora said in a tweet: "Biggest epidemic in politics - abuse of power and power to abuse. Fortunately, democracy always prevails."

NCP state spokesperson Nawab Malik said: "When money, muscle power and all else failed, Yeddyurappa and the BJP displayed fake morality and ran away to resign. This shows that 'Right is always Might and Might can never be Right'."

Meanwhile, state Samajwadi Party President Abu Azmi, welcoming the Karnataka political twist, also said: "Democracy wins."

--IANS

qn/vd