Cong workers stage demonstrations across Uttarakhand to protest K'taka developments

Accusing the BJP government at the Centre of "murdering democracy" in Karnataka, the Uttarakhand unit of the Congress today observed "save democracy day" and staging demonstrations all over the state to protest the political developments in the southern Indian state.

Congress workers staged demonstrations to protest the Karnataka Governor's decision to invite the BJP to form the government despite the saffron party's numbers being less than the combined tally of the Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular) in the state Assembly.

The Congress' Uttarakhand unit chief Pritam Singh, who participated in a day-long sit-in at the Gandhi park here, handed over a memorandum addressed to President Ram Nath Kovind to the district magistrate.

Addressing partymen during the protest, Singh alleged that the BJP was "murdering democracy using money and muscle power".

"Karnataka is the latest example of this," he said.

Noting that the Governor is the "custodian of the Constitution" of a state, the party urged President Kovind to recall Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala and "save democracy" in the southern state.

Similar protests were staged in several states across the country as the Congress observed 'save democracy day' to protest against Vala's decision to invite B S Yeddyurappa to form the government in Karnataka.

Yeddyurappa was yesterday sworn-in as the chief minister of the state. The Supreme Court today ordered a floor test at 4 PM tomorrow, drastically slashing the 15-day window given by the Governor to Yeddyurappa to prove majority.