10-31-2007, 01:51 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Congress back to old tactics </b>
Pioneer.com
Nidhi Sharma | New Delhi
Wants to seek presidential reference on Karnataka
The Congress party is exploring all legal and constitutional options to stop the BJP from forming a Government in Karnataka, the latter's first in south India. One of the options that the Congress is seriously considering is Presidential reference -- wherein the President, after a recommendation from the Governor, may seek the Supreme Court's opinion on the crisis.
The party is treading very carefully on the Karnataka issue. After being rebuked by the Supreme Court over dissolution of Bihar Assembly, the party is not taking any chance this time. Technically, the ball is in the court of Governor Rameshwar Thakur. He has to prepare a report on Karnataka and send his recommendations to President Pratibha Patil.
Senior leaders pointed out that Thakur would have to satisfy himself about the stability factor before recommending revoking of President's rule. This means that if the Governor feels Congress' charges of horse-trading are true or that BJP-JD(S) coalition would not provide a stable Government to Karnataka, he would recommend dissolution of Assembly.
Party sources, however, pointed out that if such a recommendation is given, it could lead to a political crisis with the Centre coming under direct fire from the Opposition. Congress spokesman Veerappa Moily said, "This is the first time that such a curious case has come before the Governor where the same combination of political parties has approached the Governor for forming the Government again. This would set a precedent for future cases."
Sources said that since there is not an "exact precedent" to follow, the Governor could lob the ball in the President's court, who in turn could ask the Supreme Court for its opinion. This opinion, however, would not be binding on the President.
<b>A senior leader said, "The Presidential reference would be the easiest and safest political option for the Congress. This way future petitions in the Supreme Court can also be legally handled."</b>
The Congress is now ensuring that it makes appropriate noise about the stability of the BJP-JD(S) combine and horse-trading. Moily said, "It proves that they can do anything for power. They have furnished affidavits from MLAs but even these were taken before hand. There have been allegations that some MLAs were made to sign blank papers."
..............
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Pioneer.com
Nidhi Sharma | New Delhi
Wants to seek presidential reference on Karnataka
The Congress party is exploring all legal and constitutional options to stop the BJP from forming a Government in Karnataka, the latter's first in south India. One of the options that the Congress is seriously considering is Presidential reference -- wherein the President, after a recommendation from the Governor, may seek the Supreme Court's opinion on the crisis.
The party is treading very carefully on the Karnataka issue. After being rebuked by the Supreme Court over dissolution of Bihar Assembly, the party is not taking any chance this time. Technically, the ball is in the court of Governor Rameshwar Thakur. He has to prepare a report on Karnataka and send his recommendations to President Pratibha Patil.
Senior leaders pointed out that Thakur would have to satisfy himself about the stability factor before recommending revoking of President's rule. This means that if the Governor feels Congress' charges of horse-trading are true or that BJP-JD(S) coalition would not provide a stable Government to Karnataka, he would recommend dissolution of Assembly.
Party sources, however, pointed out that if such a recommendation is given, it could lead to a political crisis with the Centre coming under direct fire from the Opposition. Congress spokesman Veerappa Moily said, "This is the first time that such a curious case has come before the Governor where the same combination of political parties has approached the Governor for forming the Government again. This would set a precedent for future cases."
Sources said that since there is not an "exact precedent" to follow, the Governor could lob the ball in the President's court, who in turn could ask the Supreme Court for its opinion. This opinion, however, would not be binding on the President.
<b>A senior leader said, "The Presidential reference would be the easiest and safest political option for the Congress. This way future petitions in the Supreme Court can also be legally handled."</b>
The Congress is now ensuring that it makes appropriate noise about the stability of the BJP-JD(S) combine and horse-trading. Moily said, "It proves that they can do anything for power. They have furnished affidavits from MLAs but even these were taken before hand. There have been allegations that some MLAs were made to sign blank papers."
..............
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->