Do not insult the constitution
In the recent past, some esteemed Judges had cautioned against the subverting of constitution and the powers granted by the constitution. They had felt ever since BJP came to power in the centre, democracy was under threat. Extra constitutional powers were constantly attempting to destabilize the democracy and democratic institutions. Today, assembly elections in Karnataka are a big example of this subversion in progress. It is no secret that the raids conducted in the run up to the elections using IT and other agencies were done for political reasons. Even after all this, BJP didn’t get a full majority, but had to be satisfied with 104 seats, at least nine seats short of the majority. Now the governor Vajubhai Vala has invited B S Yeddyurappa, the Karnataka leader of this party to form the government. This has obviously created anxiety among activists who fight to retain the spirit of democracy. Opinions that governor’s decision to allow one party to form the government and then take time or be given time to prove majority on the floor will give rise to ‘horse trading’ are not too far from the truth either. HD Kumaraswamy of JD(S) has already said his party members are being offered Rs 100 crore to defect and join the BJP.
One interpretation is that BJP legislative party leader BS Yeddyurappa is being invited to form the government against the people’s mandate since the party did not get absolute majority. This morning he may even take oath to the office of the Chief Minister of Karnataka. If this happens, it would create a very bad precedence. The governor may claim he invited the single largest party to form the government with 104 members. If this was the case, why was it not followed in the case of Goa which has 40 seats where Congress was in majority with 17 members over the BJP and its allies? When this matter was taken to the Supreme Court, even the court upheld the decision of the governor. The same case repeated in Manipur where Cong emerged as the single largest party. BJP with just two members was allowed to form the government with allies. Meghalaya too favoured Congress with 21 seats, but the party was denied the opportunity to form the government. BJP and allies formed the government there too. Union minister Jaitley said this was a constitutionally appropriate measure. Same thing repeated in Nagaland too where Cong emerged as the biggest party but was denied the opportunity to form the government. But one needs to know why the same rule cannot be applied in Karnataka too? JD(S) and Congress together have submitted a list of MLAs in their support to the governor, to stake claim to form a government. Governor needs to give them an opportunity to show solidarity at least. But then this is not being done.
Elected governments have to be formed under the very rules laid down by the constitution. But the happenings after the conclusion of assembly elections in Karnataka are quite appalling. The person who occupies the chair of a prime minister says he would not allow the JD(S) and Congress to form the government. This amounts to directly influencing the governor who has invited the party without majority to form the government. All these aspects do not hold up the spirit of democracy. The governor is not concerned about how the leader of this party would even prove majority on the floor later. Because there are not too many independent MLAs in Karnataka at the moment except for one and that number is not sufficient to achieve majority.
Now horse trading will have to be done between JD(S) and Congress MLAs. This move by the governor will give rise to all probabilities of this happening. Amit Shah is in Karnataka to achieve this very goal. Though no party has got absolute majority, nearly 64% of the voters have favoured secular parties. BJP could secure only 36.2% votes among the ones polled. Now when secular forces have come together to form the government, the governor should allow this to happen acting in the spirit of democracy. But the governor Vajubhai Vala comes from the Sangh Parivar background and was a minister in PM Narendra Modi’s government. But whatever be his history, he has to be impartial when he sits in the office of the governor. There are many examples on how a governor should take decisions in political situations like this. In 1998 when a similar situation had arisen, President K R Narayanan had allowed time to Atal Behari Vajpayee’s government to prove majority on the floor. Then the BJP had accepted this. Even now, the same parameter must be followed, Kumaraswamy and his allies should be allowed to form the government. Else, he would be committing a major blunder on this matter and would be failing the constitution as well as democracy.
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
