The Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee today observed black day to protest against the state government's reported decision to conduct local bodies election on non-political basis.

"As a part of the protest the party workers staged demonstrations and dharnas across the state and burnt copies of a notification issued by the state government," a party spokesman said here.

He said that UPCC president Reeta Bahuguna Joshi led the agitation in Allahabad, where a demonstration was held at district collectorate.

The state cabinet had recently given its nod to the UP Municipalities (election of members, corporators, chairmen and mayors) rules 2010 which prohibits urban local body polls on party lines.

Addressing the demonstration Joshi alleged that apprehending its defeat in civic polls, the BSP government was conspiring not to organise elections on party lines.

In Lucknow the party workers staged a demonstration at Shaheed Smarak and burnt copies of a notification issued by the government, the spokesman said.