Congress protest in DK and Udupi
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, May 18, 2018 : The district Congress in Mangaluru as well as Udupi staged a protest against the Karnataka Governor’s decision to invite BJP to form the government.
A large number of Congress and Janata Dal(S) activists took part in the protest held near the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Hampankatta. Speaking on the occasion, the former Congress MLA J.R. Lobo said that by denying permission to Janata Dal (Secular) and the Congress to form a coalition government Governor Vajubhai Vala had acted against the precedents. The Governor had denied an opportunity to the two parties, which have 116 members, to form a stable government, he said.
Mr. Lobo said that the Governor has acted against the spirit of the Constitution. He accused the BJP of disregarding democratic values and practice. The denial of opportunity for the two parties to form a government was akin to “ murder of democracy”, he said.
Several Congress councillors took part in the protest.
Speaking at a protest rally held at Ajjarkadu Martyrs Memorial, Udupi, former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake alleged that the government has succumbed to the pressure of the prime minister and BJP chief Amit Shah. He alleged that the “unconstitutional” act of the governor should be condemned strongly. “It is horse trading. He is the person who should safeguard the Constitution. He is also ignoring the Supreme Court order,” he said. He alleged that BJP and its leaders can go to any extent to gain power. When a similar situation arose in Goa and Manipur, the Congress, which was the largest party in respective states, was not allowed to form the government following an SC order. Sadly, an unethical way is being approached in Karnataka by massacring Constitutional values. The MLAs are purchased and democracy is at risk with the horse trade by BJP, he strongly condemned and added that Governor Vajubhai Vala should have respected the Constitution.
He added that the protest would be intensified in the days to come and if the need arises, the Congress leaders would also go to jail fighting against the “unconstitutional” act.
Coming down heavily on the loan waiver announcement by Yeddyurappa immediately after the swearing-in, the former MLA added that it is a hilarious act. Stating that the cabinet itself is not formed and his chair is not yet guaranteed, the BJP leader went on to announce goodies for farmers. “Let him first make sure that he will retain his chair before making a mockery of himself,” he said and added that all is fine in Congress and JD(S). Both the parties and its MLAs are committed and BJP would not be able to form the government. District Congress president Janardhan Thonse alleged that the Governor is a black spot for the democracy. He is a puppet in the hands of the PM, which is sad, he lamented.
Former Mangaluru South Congress MLA JR Lobo lost the election to his BJP contender and first timer Vedavyas Kamath, much against the general perception.
Lobo accepted his defeat with courage and grace and wrote a long message on his FB page thanking Mangaloreans and party workers for their love and support.
"Hello everyone, the past few days have been a difficult journey for me, as would be for many of you who have been my support since the last 5 years. A loss is never easy to accept, but it forces every one of us to take pause and think about our actions – past, present & future."