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President’s rule in Bihar approved New Delhi, March 19 Even though the statutory resolution on the proclamation was passed by voice vote, the BJP and the JD (U) had a dig at the government, saying there was no “collective responsibility” with the key UPA ally, the RJD, including Railway Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav, walking out in protest against the Centre’s decision. Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, seeking the approval of the House for the proclamation of President’s Rule, said: “We are keen that the elected representatives form the government in the state and we are not interested in the continuation of President’s rule for a long time.” “I hope that the time available will be utilised by the elected representatives in Bihar to help form a government, the earlier the better...” he told the House. He said the proclamation under Article 356 was issued in view of the Governor’s report that no political party or group could establish a majority. Mr Patil said the coalition led by the RJD and the JD (U) had 92 legislators each and the Governor was “fully satisfied” that there was “complete inability” of any party or coalition to command a majority in the Assembly. As the state Budget and vote-on-account were yet to be passed and it was “not appropriate” for the caretaker government headed by Ms Rabri Devi to do so, the Union Cabinet on March 7 had recommended imposition of President’s rule. Consequently, the presidential proclamation under Article 356 was issued on the same day, Mr Patil said and urged the House to approve it. Earlier, regional leaders used the occasion to woo one another to form the government in the state. While Lok Janshakti Party chief Ram Bilas Paswan asked JD (U) leader Nitish Kumar to part ways with the BJP, saffron party leader Sushil Modi invited Mr Paswan to rejoin the NDA to form government in the state. “If you leave the BJP and come along, I will form the government. But are you ready,” Mr Paswan asked Mr Kumar, while asserting that a government could only be formed in Bihar if two of the three formations RJD, JD (U) or LJP — joined hands. Mr Devendra Prasad Yadav of the RJD said the party was not given an opportunity to prove majority in the Assembly and accused its detractors of ganging up to keep the party out of power. “Bihar is being turned into a unique laboratory where some are saying that if we cannot form government, we will not let other form too,” he said. Mr Basudeb Acharia (CPI-M) wanted all secular parties to work for formation of a popular government and cautioned that if this did not happen, the only way out would be fresh elections. Mr Ramjilal Suman (SP) held the Congress, the RJD and the LJP responsible for non-formation of government in Bihar. “How can the UPA have a different character at Bihar than at the Centre”, he asked.  |
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No move to change law on Governor’s role New Delhi, March 19 Rejecting suggestions for bringing in changes in the role of Governors as recommended by the Sarkaria Commission, Mr Patil said: “We intend to follow the existing convention”, which had the backing of major political parties. The Home Minister was replying to a debate on the proclamation of President’s rule in Goa. Replying to a half-day-long debate on the issue, Mr Patil rejected the suggestion by the TDP for abolishing the post of Governor and also turned down the demand of the BJP for immediate dissolution of Goa Assembly and fresh elections. The proclamation of President’s Rule in Goa was subsequently approved by voice vote in the Rajya Sabha, thus receiving the parliamentary seal of approval. The Lok Sabha had yesterday approved the resolution by voice vote. Stating that the Sarkaria Commission’s report was advisory and not binding, the Home Minister said the suggestion of the commission on the appointment and role of Governors had been considered by the Inter-State Council and the Law Ministry had also been consulted on these. On the appointment of Governors, Mr Patil said the UPA government felt that the consultations with the state Chief Ministers were acceptable, but their concurrence and approval on the appointments were not required. Referring to the controversy generated by recent actions by some Governors, the Home Minister maintained that “If any mistake is committed, it is the mistake of the individual and not the law.” Earlier, participating in the debate, BJP member Pramod Mahajan blamed the Congress for the recent political developments in Goa and demanded that the state Assembly, kept under suspended animation, be dissolved immediately to pave way for fresh polls in the state placed under President’s rule. |
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