Badal opposes use of Art 356

CHENNAI, Sept 14 (PTI) — The Shiromani Akali Dal, which opposed the inclusion of Udham Singh Nagar in the proposed Uttaranchal state, today asserted it would not create a situation detrimental to the BJP-led Government at the Centre and help the Congress, "enemy number one of the country", seize power.

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said though his party was firm on Udham Singh Nagar's exclusion from Uttaranchal and wanted the demand of the people of the area to be accepted, yet "we are most sincere friends of the BJP-led coalition and consider the Congress as enemy number one of the country".

Mr Badal, who arrived here to participate in an MDMK rally tomorrow, told newsmen at the airport that there were problems that were "dear to a state or party", but these could be sorted out by dialogue.

"We do have problems, but it does not mean we should trouble the Government. We are asking them (the BJP-led Government) to solve them", the SAD President added.

Asked about his party's opposition to the use of Article 356 of the Constitution against the Rabri Devi Government in Bihar, Mr Badal said the SAD was opposed to the use of the provision against any duly elected Government as his Government had faced its use a number of times.

The Akali Dal leader expressed the hope that the BJP-led Government would consult its coalition partners on the matter of dismissal of the Bihar Government and said it would make its stand clear "as we have always done".

Mr Badal agreed with the view of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader S. Ramadoss for frequent meetings of the Coordination Committee to sort out the problems faced by the partners of the ruling coalition.

Asked to comment on the proposal of Left parties and the Samajwadi Party to topple the Vajpayee Government, Mr Badal said no party would be able to form an alternative Government. "We are firm that we will not go with the Congress. We are against it", he said.

Responding to a question about the performance of the Vajpayee Government, Mr Badal said despite some "teething troubles" the Government had performed well.He said the Vajpayee Government had inherited these problems owing to 45 years of "misrule" by the Congress, which had done nothing during all these years in power.

"The Congress Government could not improve the lot of the people. The per capita income had come down and its rule was devoid of basic facilities like drinking water and health services to all", the Punjab Chief Minister said.

Asked to comment on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's observation that the DMK Government could extend its support to the BJP-led Government, provided it proved its secular credentials, Mr Badal said:"I do not wish to comment on other people's statement". However, he said he would be meeting Mr Karunanidhi during his visit here.