01-25-2006, 10:46 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->PM culpable on all counts, charges BJP
The Pioneer
January 25, 2006
Leader of Opposition LK Advani on Tuesday demanded the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and sacking of Bihar Governor Buta Singh in the wake of the Supreme Court's detailed judgement on the dissolution of the Bihar Assembly.Â
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has also decided to meet President APJ Kalam and has sought an appointment in this regard.
"We demand immediate recall of the Governor and action against the Prime Minister for misleading him (President) to commit an unconstitutional action," Mr Advani said.
In his impromptu Press conference at his residence, Mr Advani pointed out that
while the Governor had misled the Central Government, Manmohan Singh's Council of Ministers was found to be guilty of "non-application of mind" for accepting the Governor's report as "gospel truth", without any verification.
"In a way, the court seemed harsh on the Governor but the culpability of the Prime Minister is evidently greater as it was he who convened the midnight meeting and it was he who was instrumental in misleading the President," Mr Advani argued.
BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley made it clear in Jaipur that the party intended to put the Prime Minister on the mat on this issue. "The Governor only sends the report and recommendations, it is the Central Government which takes its own decision based on it," he contended, adding, "It is the political, constitutional and moral responsibility not only of the Governor but also of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh."
Asked about the party's view on the President's hurried acceptance of the Central Government's recommendations, he said the apex court had clearly noted that the President could not be blamed for imposing Article 356 as he was bound by the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.
Expectedly, the NDA leaders were merciless in their attack on Buta Singh, who showed no inclination of stepping down voluntarily, but asserted that he would take the salute in Patna on Republic Day.
While Mr Fernandes called him "Jhutha Singh", Mr Advani dubbed his bravado as "gross contempt of court". "For an indicted person to talk in this arrogant manner is adding insult to injury. From a democratic viewpoint, this will have far reaching consequences," he said.But it was the UPA Government at the Centre and the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi that were his principal targets.
Despite its understandable politeness in respect of the Council of Ministers, the apex court had not absolved it of blame, Mr Advani maintained. "It has found the Council of Ministers guilty of non-application of mind. For Council of Ministers to accept the Governor's report without verification as gospel truth is a very strong comment," he added.
The BJP leader said nobody who has read the judgement would agree with the Congress party's contention that the verdict does not hold the Government guilty.
According to him, the verdict clearly showed that the Governor's report was politically motivated to prevent Nitish Kumar from forming the Government.
"When the Prime Minister convened a cabinet meeting at the dead of the night, he was subserving the same motive which had prompted the Governor - preventing duly elected representatives of people from forming a legitimate Government," Mr Advani said.
He said, though going by language and phrases, the court's accusation may seem harsher against the Governor, "the culpability of the Prime Minister is evidently greater because it was he who was instrumental in misleading the President."
Asked about the court's suggestion for a National Policy outlining common norms for appointment of Governors, he said the inter-state council had not accepted it but the NDA Government used to not only consult but also appoint Governors with the consent of the States. He said BJP had an open mind if the issue was reconsidered by the Inter-State Council.
Who Said What
Whatever the SC says the country has to accept it...The Supreme Court has got authority. We have to respect it... I do not want to comment (Buta's resignation)- Manmohan Singh
The culpability of the PM is evidently greater because he convened the meeting of the Council of Ministers at the dead of the night and was instrumental in misleading the President - LK Advani
I don't see any way other than Governor Buta Singh to step down - Prakash Karat After the SC judgement it is not possible for him (Buta) to remain there. Report of the Governor was sent not in a very objective and neutral manner -AB Bardhan
It is for Singh to decide on continuing in office. It is a matter of propriety for the individual whether to continue in office or not - Fali S Nariman
How dare they (government) make this hindsight of a comment that they were misled. Are they children playing games? If they are, they have no right to be there - George Fernandes
Centre owes it to the court and Constitution to remove him. I think Buta Singh cannot and should not remain in the office for a minute after this - Soli Sorabjee
We should leave it to the conscience of the Governor. How can I say whether he
should remain or go -Lalu Prasad
I personally never favoured the dissolution, but given the circumstances prevailing at that time there was no other option (other than dissolution) left - Ram Vilas Paswan <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The Pioneer
January 25, 2006
Leader of Opposition LK Advani on Tuesday demanded the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and sacking of Bihar Governor Buta Singh in the wake of the Supreme Court's detailed judgement on the dissolution of the Bihar Assembly.Â
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has also decided to meet President APJ Kalam and has sought an appointment in this regard.
"We demand immediate recall of the Governor and action against the Prime Minister for misleading him (President) to commit an unconstitutional action," Mr Advani said.
In his impromptu Press conference at his residence, Mr Advani pointed out that
while the Governor had misled the Central Government, Manmohan Singh's Council of Ministers was found to be guilty of "non-application of mind" for accepting the Governor's report as "gospel truth", without any verification.
"In a way, the court seemed harsh on the Governor but the culpability of the Prime Minister is evidently greater as it was he who convened the midnight meeting and it was he who was instrumental in misleading the President," Mr Advani argued.
BJP general secretary Arun Jaitley made it clear in Jaipur that the party intended to put the Prime Minister on the mat on this issue. "The Governor only sends the report and recommendations, it is the Central Government which takes its own decision based on it," he contended, adding, "It is the political, constitutional and moral responsibility not only of the Governor but also of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh."
Asked about the party's view on the President's hurried acceptance of the Central Government's recommendations, he said the apex court had clearly noted that the President could not be blamed for imposing Article 356 as he was bound by the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.
Expectedly, the NDA leaders were merciless in their attack on Buta Singh, who showed no inclination of stepping down voluntarily, but asserted that he would take the salute in Patna on Republic Day.
While Mr Fernandes called him "Jhutha Singh", Mr Advani dubbed his bravado as "gross contempt of court". "For an indicted person to talk in this arrogant manner is adding insult to injury. From a democratic viewpoint, this will have far reaching consequences," he said.But it was the UPA Government at the Centre and the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi that were his principal targets.
Despite its understandable politeness in respect of the Council of Ministers, the apex court had not absolved it of blame, Mr Advani maintained. "It has found the Council of Ministers guilty of non-application of mind. For Council of Ministers to accept the Governor's report without verification as gospel truth is a very strong comment," he added.
The BJP leader said nobody who has read the judgement would agree with the Congress party's contention that the verdict does not hold the Government guilty.
According to him, the verdict clearly showed that the Governor's report was politically motivated to prevent Nitish Kumar from forming the Government.
"When the Prime Minister convened a cabinet meeting at the dead of the night, he was subserving the same motive which had prompted the Governor - preventing duly elected representatives of people from forming a legitimate Government," Mr Advani said.
He said, though going by language and phrases, the court's accusation may seem harsher against the Governor, "the culpability of the Prime Minister is evidently greater because it was he who was instrumental in misleading the President."
Asked about the court's suggestion for a National Policy outlining common norms for appointment of Governors, he said the inter-state council had not accepted it but the NDA Government used to not only consult but also appoint Governors with the consent of the States. He said BJP had an open mind if the issue was reconsidered by the Inter-State Council.
Who Said What
Whatever the SC says the country has to accept it...The Supreme Court has got authority. We have to respect it... I do not want to comment (Buta's resignation)- Manmohan Singh
The culpability of the PM is evidently greater because he convened the meeting of the Council of Ministers at the dead of the night and was instrumental in misleading the President - LK Advani
I don't see any way other than Governor Buta Singh to step down - Prakash Karat After the SC judgement it is not possible for him (Buta) to remain there. Report of the Governor was sent not in a very objective and neutral manner -AB Bardhan
It is for Singh to decide on continuing in office. It is a matter of propriety for the individual whether to continue in office or not - Fali S Nariman
How dare they (government) make this hindsight of a comment that they were misled. Are they children playing games? If they are, they have no right to be there - George Fernandes
Centre owes it to the court and Constitution to remove him. I think Buta Singh cannot and should not remain in the office for a minute after this - Soli Sorabjee
We should leave it to the conscience of the Governor. How can I say whether he
should remain or go -Lalu Prasad
I personally never favoured the dissolution, but given the circumstances prevailing at that time there was no other option (other than dissolution) left - Ram Vilas Paswan <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->