SHILLONG, MAY 18: Registering strong protest against the Karnataka Governor’s decision to invite the BJP to form the government, opposition Congress in Meghalaya on Fridayurged the President Ram Nath Kovind to safeguard democratic principle and sanctity of the Constitution of India.
In a memorandum submitted to the President through the Governor Ganga Prasad here, Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) chief Celestine Lyngdoh said, “We hereby submit our memorandum to the governor urging upon the president to safeguard the democratic principle and the sanctity of the Constitution.”
Lyngdoh also warned that democracy is in danger with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah giving dictates to every constitutional functionary to act unconstitutionally and illegally.
He said that the Karnataka governor Vajubhai Vala has colluded with the BJP to subvert the democracy in Karnataka by inviting the BJP leaders to take oath of office & secrecy despite the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) combined had submitted list of MLAs which is more than the required number to form the government.
“In doing so, he has not only undermined the dignity of his office, but also acted in an unconstitutional manner. This dangerous precedent strikes at the very heart of India’s democracy and portends grave consequences for all forthcoming elections,” he said.
The Congress chief further stated that the decision of the Karnataka Governor, who is also a former Finance Minister of BJP in Gujarat with RSS links, to invite Yeddyurappa to be sworn in as chief minister of BJP is a murder of democracy, violation of the constitution, negation of the law and subjugation of every known principles as also judgments’ of the Supreme Court.
Governor’s prejudice can be gauged from the fact that while BJP sought seven days time to prove majority, Governor proceeded to grant them 15 days time for proving majority.
“Giving an invite to a party ie BJP, that does not have the requisite majority, clearly establishes that Governor is attempting to permit BJP to convert minority into majority by horse trading and by permitting the legislators to change loyalties based on various financial and other allurements,” he said.
Stating that this is gross mockery of the majority rule and our democratic set up, Lyngdoh said that the constitutional position is unequivocal and clear adding once a clear cut majority of two political parties coming together or of other legislators supporting the political parties is established, like in the case of the present INC JD (S) coalition, only option before the Governor is to call such a coalition for formation of the government.
“Once majority numbers are presented, like the majority of 117 in case of Kartanaka by INC and JD (S), it supersedes everything else, as per the established constitutional norms, past practices and the judgment of the Supreme Court,” he stated.
He said that the most recent examples are that of Goa (March 2017), Manipur (March 2017) and Meghalaya (March 2018), where in Congress party emerged as the single largest party, yet BJP and post-poll coalition partners were invited to form the government on the principle that they had clear majority.
In March 2017 general elections to Goa Assembly, Congress won 17 seats in a legislature comprising 40 seats compared to the BJP winning only 12 seats. BJP formed a coalition with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Goa Forward Party and consequently was invited to form the government.
This decision of the Governor was challenged and was upheld by the Supreme Court on the ground that the post poll coalition had full majority compared to the single largest party.
In March 2017, in Manipur, Congress party won 28 seats in the legislature with a total strength of 60, as against the BJP winning only 21 seats. Yet the post-poll coalition of BJP was invited to form the government.
Recently in March 2018 in the state of Meghalaya, Congress party again emerged as the single largest party winning 21 seats out of a total of 60 seats in the state legislature.
BJP won only two seats. Yet the post-poll coalition of BJP-NPP-UDP-PDF-HSPDP was invited to form the government on the argument that they had majority numbers.
“It is thus clear that there is no direction with the Governor, as is clear from the three recent instances cited have also the judgments of the Supreme Court,” he said.
Earlier, the opposition Congress also staged a protest against “murder of democracy” and accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of attempting to twist the anti-defection law through unfair means.
Speaking to reporters, MPCC chief said, “The BJP is even trying to twist the anti-defection law and this is where in the years to come our democracy will face some unwanted things. Many things will happen if we keep twisting the law through unfair means.”
“We strongly protest at the ways things are being handled in Karnataka. It is illegal for the BJP to try and poach MLAs from other parties by unfair means,” he said.
Stating that for democracy to be vibrant, there is need to have strong opposition, Lyngdoh however said but the style of functioning of the BJP which is running the country looks like it does not want to have opposition.
The protest was participated by veteran leader HDR Lyngdoh, MLAs – Ampareen Lyngdoh and H Shangpliang besides party functionaries and workers.
By Our Reporter
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