Pratibha must protect democracy: Advani

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha LK Advani on Friday rued the fact that violation of constitutional rights had become rampant during the past three years. Seeking the intervention of President Pratibha Patil to end the Goa crisis, Advani said that it was the duty of the President, the Prime Minister or those holding constitutional posts to protect democracy. "India is known the world over for its successful democratic system and not only for its economic growth. It is the duty of people holding constitutional posts to protect democratic values. In recent times, we have been forced to look to the judiciary whenever there is a violation of constitutional rights. And I am sure that when the matter (Goa crisis) comes up in the Supreme Court on Monday, we will get justice this time also," Advani said terming the Goa Speaker's action as "unconstitutional." He was speaking at a protest rally organised by the NDA at Jantar Mantar.

Without naming Congress president Sonia Gandhi, the senior BJP leader said it was also the duty of the head of a ruling party to give proper directions to the people's representatives elected in the House. "It is the duty of the party president to break the deadlock. Advani alleged that the Speaker did not even follow the basic procedure of giving a chance to the MLAs to explain their position before disqualifying them. It happened in the past in Bihar, UP, Jharkhand, Andhra and now in Goa. Such autocratic acts are a matter of concern and we will do every bit to fight these atrocities of the UPA. The Congress is dishonouring India by disregarding the Constitution and damaging democracy," he added amidst slogans of "UPA Sarkar Nikammi Hai."

The protest rally was marked by the presence of the NDA leadership in full strength. The rally was bolstered by the presence of former Speaker and Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi as differences had earlier arisen within the NDA following the support given to UPA candidate Pratibha Patil by the Sena on the grounds of her being a Maharashtrian.

BJP president Rajnath Singh said that it was ironical that the majority legislators to whom the responsibility of running the Government should have been given were demonstrating on the roads of Delhi while those in a minority were running the Government thanks to the machinations of the Congress. "The BJP, NDA and Goa Democratic Alliance will fight from Parliament to the streets against this anti-democratic, anti-constitutional deed of the Congress. We have complete faith in the judiciary that democracy will win and those legislators who are in the majority would get justice. The character of the Congress has been that of a dictator and whenever they get an opportunity they show despotic tendencies and try to grab power," Singh said.

JD (U) president Sharad Yadav said that whenever the Congress comes to power, the Governor and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly selected by the Congress start playing a political role. Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi said that the Congress has wounded democracy in Goa but the majority legislators would get justice from the judiciary. "When Manohar (Parrikar) is in crisis then another Manohar (Joshi) has to be here and so I am," quipped Joshi.

On this occasion, Goa BJP president Shripad Nayak, president of the GDP Anil Salgaoncar, president of Goa Bachao Front Churchill Alemao and general secretary Wilfred Miscet were also present besides the BJP Goa incharge Rajiv Pratap Rudy, former Union Minister Vijay Goel and Delhi BJP president Harshvardhan.