New Delhi, May 6 (PTI): Former prime minister Manmohan Singh today accused the Narendra Modi government of trying to dislodge Congress governments in the states.

"Since BJP has come to power they have only one mission 'Congress-mukt Bharat'. They say this wherever they go. I want to tell the Modi government that Congress is India's soul," he said at the 'Save Democracy' rally at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

"Congress is like a flowing Ganga. You defame it or do whatever, it will not change its course," Mr Singh said.

"There have been many attacks on Congress in the past since 1885 (when it was established). People have tried to weaken the party. But they could not succeed," he said.

Referring to the political crises in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, he said, "Congress is not there in many states. But wherever it is there attempts have been made to dislodge it. Congress governments were dislodged in Arunachal and Uttarakhand."

"The Modi government has attacked democracy. Now they are targeting other Congress states like Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and the Virbhadra Singh government in Himachal Pradesh. They are trying to dislodge these governments," he said.

"It is necessary that Congress workers reach out to people in every corner of the country and spread the message that the Modi government is uprooting democracy. We will not allow them to succeed," the former prime minister said.

He also said, "At present universities are not safe, courts are not safe. So it is your duty to understand this and ensure defeat of the Modi government's designs."