Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, May 18: The district Congress committee leaders and party workers staged a protest by tying black ribbon at War Memorial Ground, Ajjarkad here on Thursday, May 17, condemning Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to invite B S Yeddyurappa while neglecting JD(S)-Congress claim to form government, despite having numbers.
Vinay Kumar Sorake addressing the protesters said, “There is a need to protect democracy. The Governor Vajubhai Vala was pressurized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP National President Amit Shah. Governor has given chance for horse trading politics in Karnataka,” he alleged.
“How BJP will get majority seats and Yeddyurappa the CM post? Modi once again proved that he will not hesitate to take any extreme step to come to power, even if it is in an undemocratic way. Governor is killing the democracy instead of protecting it. BJP is purchasing other party leaders to get majority. Why the same rules were not applied to Goa, Mizoram and Manipur, when Congress had a clear majority to form a government?” he questioned.
Sorake said that the Governor's decision and Modi are a shame to democracy. They are trying to go in a wrong path.
Answering to the question that Yeddyurappa promised to waive debts of farmers' Sorake said, “Before waiving debts, cabinet should be formed. We are ready to go jail to protect democracy. All Congress MLAs are firm to set alliance with JD(S). There are rumours in social media that some Congress MLAs are going to resign and this is far away from the truth. Congress will put all effort to form government,” he asserted.
Former MLA U R Sabhapathi said BJP is going against the Indian Constitution. Though there was no majority, BJP is going to form a government in a hurried manner. BJP is threatening Congress MLAs in getting majority. Winning and failure is common in democracy. Henceforth, we will try taking it as challenge to win in next election, he said.
“The Governor is acting as a puppet of Modi. He is a black dot on democracy. Congress leaders are being assaulted by BJP workers. If the same activities happen, we will hold a massive protest in the district,” said Congress leader Janardhan Thonse.
Satish Puthran, Prakhyath Shetty, MA Gafoor, Narasimha Murthy, Veronica Cornelio, Rakesh Nalli, Sunitha Shetty and others were present.