Bhandari for President's rule in Bihar

NEW DELHI, Oct 8 (PTI) — Clouds of uncertainty again hovered over the fate of the Bihar Government with both the Governor Mr S.S. Bhandari, and the BJP today asserting that the state was a "fit case" for imposition of President’s rule.

Mr Bhandari, who met the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee and the Home Minister Mr L.K. Advani, told reporters "there are several problems in Bihar. The state is a fit case for imposition of President’s rule".

Asked by reporters after his 45-minute meeting with Mr Advani whether the law and order situation had further deteriorated in the state ever since he submitted his last report to the Centre, the Governor said "I have already reported to the government".

After his 30-minute meeting with Mr Vajpayee, the Bihar Governor told reporters that he apprised the Prime Minister of the situation in Bihar, but did not submit any report as his previous note was already there.

Meanwhile, the BJP spokesman, Mr K.L. Sharma, told reporters that the Central Government should reconsider its decision and press for use of Article 356 in the state.

He said the Cabinet had not sent back its recommendation to the president Mr K.R. Narayanan, out of respect for his view, but the situation in the state had not improved and it was in fact the fittest case for imposition of President's rule.

Meanwhile, the RJD President Mr Laloo Prasad Yadav, disputed the assertion of Mr Bhandari and accused him of trying to create instability in the state.