JD(S) Supremo H D Deve Gowda, Congress leader Gulam Nabi Azad, former CM Siddaramaiah, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy with JD(S) and Congress party supporters and MLAs stage dharna in front of Gandhi Statue near Vidhan Soudha.
Protesting against Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala’s “collusion with the BJP”, by inviting BS Yeddyurappa to take the oath of office despite falling short of the required mandate, the Congress party is observing a ‘Save Democracy Day’ across the country. The party will hold protests across state capitals and district headquarters.
Accusing the Governor of “undermining the dignity of his office’ the Congress said, “The dangerous precedent strikes at the very heart of India’s democracy and portends grave consequences for all forthcoming election.” The party has decided that all the PCC presidents and senior leaders will lead a delegation to the Governors in their state and hand over memorandums urging the President of India to safeguard democratic principles and sanctity of constitution.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Friday ordered that a floor test be conducted at 4pm, Saturday to determine whether the day-old BS Yeddyurappa government has the support of the required number of MLAs to continue in government.
Congress leaders protesting in Bengaluru.
Highlights
The Congress has sought an appointment with President Ram Nath Kovind on behalf of like-minded opposition parties to appraise him about the Karnataka Governor inviting the BJP to form the government in the state even though there was a split verdict in the Assembly election. A Congress source said though the party has sought an appointment with Kovind tomorrow, they are likely to meet him next week in the view of the floor test be held in Karnataka Assembly tomorrow, as ordered by the Supreme Court, to ascertain whether newly appointed BJP Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa enjoys majority in the state. (PTI)
The democracy is under a vicious attack today by the RSS and its hydra-headed affiliates, while the BJP Govt is the facilitator. It is imperative that we do not aide the BJP by maintaining silence: Congress.
(Source: Twitter/INCIndia)
Gujarat Congress leaders staged a protest at Lal Darwaja area of the city to protest against the decision of Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala, inviting the BJP to form the state government. (Express Photo by Javed Raja)
A bench of Justices A K Sikri, S A Bobde and Ashok Bhushan held a hearing and examined the letters dated May 15 and 16, written by Yeddyurappa to Governor Vala, staking claim to form the government. The SC bench has proposed a floor test to be held on Saturday.
We stand united to protest against the murder of democracy and the violation of Constitutional principles by the BJP in Karnakata.
Appointment with Goa Governor at noon. We are going to tell her that since her counterpart in Karnataka has called the single largest party, she should also call us now. We are the single largest party, will prove majority on the floor of the House: Yatish Naik, Goa Congress spokesperson
Their claim of a mandate is a sham. They neither had the majority nor the largest share of the popular vote. The formation of a BJP government by deceit, money and brazen abuse of power exposes the naked opportunism and hunger for power and their double standards: Anand Sharma
Congress has been targeting the Governor of Karnataka, in a statement, the party said, "Decision of Karnataka Governor's to invite Yeddyurappa to be sworn in as CM is the murder of democracy, violation of the constitution, negation of the law and subjugation of every known principle as also judgement of Supreme Court."
Congress leaders are likely to meet President Ram Nath Kovind during the day, reports suggest the party is seeking an appointment with the President.
The principle of the Governor’s “discretion” has been invoked to defend Vajubhai Vala’s decision to invite B S Yeddyurappa, leader of the BJP legislature party, to form the government in Karnataka. By not staying the swearing-in on Thursday, the Supreme Court has tacitly acknowledged this discretion. What exactly does discretion mean in legal-constitutional situations such as this? READ MORE HERE
Hello, welcome to our Live Blog as we track the fallout of the Karnataka election results and the Congress protests across the nation. Track all developments here LIVE.