Agitated over Karnataka Governor’s decision that led BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa to take oath as Chief Minister, the Congress on Thursday launched country-wide protests citing constitutional breakdown of the system. Other Opposition parties like left, RJD too have announced for a major movement to “defend democracy”.
The Congress also decided to continue its agitation with all party workers to observe May 18 as ‘save democracy day’, by holding dharnas and protests in every nook and corner of the country and expose the “misdeeds” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah.
After approaching the Supreme Court in the matter, the Congress also claimed that Yeddyurappa will turn out to be a “one-day Chief Minister”. While Congress attacked Governor Vajubhai Vala, accusing him of encountering Constitution twice, it also challenged Modi and Shah to prove the numbers in a day.
Opposition parties are likely to meet either in Bengaluru or Delhi to chalk out their plan for the movement. Congress already launched massive protest against the Centre and Governor across the country. “We would decide (on future course of action) after the court’s verdict. All Opposition parties are determined to make this a major national issue in defence of democracy if blatant violation of our Constitution continues and parliamentary democratic norms are not maintained,” said Sitaram Yechury, CPM General Secretary.
“We would decide (on future course of action) after the court’s verdict”, Yechury said.
The Opposition leaders are in touch with JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda and efforts are being made by all Opposition parties to organise protest marches across the country to corner the BJP.
“I think every other secular democratic Opposition party are opposing the way BJP has been invited to form the Government in Karnataka and how the Governor has given them 15 days to prove majority (in the Assembly). Even if they do not have the number, time is been given to them for horse-trading. Even some of the BJP’s allies like the Shiv Sena are also opposing it,” a senior Opposition leader said.
Congress also sought the recall of Governor Vajubhai Vala, after Yeddyurappa was sworn in.
The Congress, which in alliance with the JD(S) had made a bid to form the Government in the State, referred to a 2011 tweet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the recall of the then Karnataka Governor and said, “We agree”. “Governor of Karnataka is bent upon destroying India’s federal structure, urged PM to ask the President to recall him,” Modi, who was then the Gujarat Chief Minister, had tweeted on May 19, 2011.
Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said fate of Yeddyurappa is sealed in his letter given to Governor Vajubhai Vala as it makes no mention of a number bigger than the 104 MlAs of the BJP. “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,” Chidambaram said.