BJP’s bid to save K’taka govt not the way to make India ‘Cong-mukt’: Sena

MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena said on Monday that the BJP's attempt to save the B S Yeddyurappa government in Karnataka was not the way to make the country "Congress-free".

Stressing the need to save democracy in the country, the BJP's bickering ally said no government can use the Constitution to enforce its decisions on people.

In an editorial in its mouthpiece 'Saamana', the Sena also alleged that "the governor" and the president sometimes act like agents of the government.

"They are the constitutional heads of a state and the country, but they themselves act contrary to constitutional norms," it read. The Sena's remarks came against the backdrop of Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala's earlier decision to invite Yeddyurappa to form the government and prove majority in the Assembly in 15 days.

The party alleged that the governors of Goa and Manipur indulged in "political corruption" and the Raj Bhavans there had become offices of the ruling party.

"Some peope are suddenly talking about respecting democracy. Why was such respect not shown in Goa and Manipur?" it asked.

The marathon three-day political slugfest in Karnataka culminated in Yeddyurappa resigning as chief minister on Saturday after he failed to muster the support of seven additional MLAs to ensure he remained in office.

"We are deeply saddened over the BJP government failing to come to power in Karnataka, but the attempt to save it is not the path to make India 'Congress-free'," the Sena editorial read. "This would further lead to weakening of democracy, individual freedom and freedom of the press in the country. In parliamentary democracy, we need a free Parliament as well as free media," it opined.

The Sena also took a dig at Union minister and RPI (A) chief Ramdas Athawale, saying he had earlier stated that he would leave the NDA if the BJP flouted constitutional norms. "So what happened in the Karnataka Assembly was not anticonstitutional?" the Sena wondered.