Cong to observe 'Save Democracy Day' tomorrow

The Congress today said it would observe 'Save Democracy Day' across the country tomorrow in protest against Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's decision to "illegally" invite BJP leader B S Yeddyurappa to form the government in the state.

Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala accused the Karnataka Governor of colluding with the BJP and playing a "partisan" role in government formation in Karnataka after it threw a split verdict.

He also accused Vala of "murdering" democracy and "trampling" of the Constitution by inviting Yeddyurappa.

"The Congress has decided that its workers and leaders will observe a 'Save Democracy Day' across the country on May 18 to highlight the Governor's trampling of the Constitution," he told reporters.

Surjewala said Congress leaders and workers would hold protests and dharnas at various state and district headquarters across the country.

In a letter to party general secretaries, state unit presidents and chiefs of frontal organisations, AICC general secretary Ashok Gehlot asked them to organise protests and dharnas at all state capitals and district headquarters against the 'partisan' role of the Governor.

He also asked the party's state unit presidents and all senior leaders to lead a delegation to the respective governors and submit a memorandum urging the President "to safeguard the democratic principles and the sanctity of the Constitution".

Questioning the decision of the Governor to invite the BJP to form the government in Karnataka, Surjewala said, "if the law says that the single largest party be invited to form the Government, then the same precedent should have been followed in Goa, Manipur and Meghalaya."