07-26-2007, 09:09 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Don't impose Prez rule: BJP </b>
Pioneer.com
Yogesh Vajpeyi | New Delhi
First credibility test for Pratibha coming up
Suspecting foul play by the Congress in Goa, the BJP has warned the Centre against any move to impose President's rule in the State.
"The Central Government should ensure that no vote-buying or horse-trading takes place to retain power. There should not be use of any malpractice. But in any case, the situation should not lead to the imposition of President's rule," BJP president Rajnath Singh said.
Singh's reaction to the ongoing political crisis in Goa was a clear indication that<b> if the Congress pressed for Central intervention in Goa, the BJP might project it as the first test of credibility for President Pratibha Patil</b>
The BJP chief's remarks late on Thursday evening followed the day's developments. Instead of proving his majority after the withdrawal of support to his Government by the Maharashtra Gomantak Party (MGP) and an Independent and the resignation of a Congress MLA on Wednesday night on the floor of the House, the Congress forced an adjournment till Monday.
"<b>If the Congress tries to impose President's rule, we expect Pratibha Patil to live up to the high ideals of Constitutional probity set by former President APJ Kalam," </b>BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Thursday.
These apprehensions were echoed by the BJP's Goa in-charge Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who is camping in Panjim to monitor the fast changing situation.
"Chief Minister Kamat should have been asked to prove his majority on Thursday itself, failing which the Governor should have dismissed his Government," he said.
Kamat's claim that he still commands a majority has tended to substantiate the Opposition fears that the Congress was up to some hanky panky. "Given the party's past record we can expect anything from them," said a senior BJP leader,
A section in the party, however, felt that the Congress might be better advised not to press for Central intervention in Goa.
If the Congress tries to get President's rule imposed, this might further expose Pratibha Patil to charges of pliability, these BJP leaders pointed out.
This might prove counter-productive for the Congress as well as Patil in the back drop of the charges leveled against her in the media during the presidential campaign, they contended.
Talking to The Pioneer from Goa, Rudy said there was no justification for preventing the opposition alliance from forming the Government now that the Kamat Government had been reduced to a minority.
The BJP leader vehemently denied the Congress charge that the BJP had resorted to horse-trading to bring down the Kamat Government.
<b>"Congress MLA Victoria Fernandes resigned from the State Assembly because she was humiliated by the Congress party," he said, adding that "the MGP had contested the last Assembly election on an anti-Congress platform and it was natural for it to join a non-Congress combination."</b>
As for as the independent MLA from Sanvordem, Anil Salgaocar, Rudy pointed out that he was a leading industrialist and any suggestion that he could be bought was ridiculous.
The BJP-led political formation comprising MGP, United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP), Save Goa Front (SGF) and an independent legislator have organised themselves under the banner of Goa Democratic Alliance (GDA).
The Congress-led alliance has 19 legislators, including Speaker Pratapsingh Rane on their side while the GDA claims the support of 20 legislators in a House whose effective strength has been reduced to 39.
The BJP said that the Centre should guard against any horse-trading for power in Goa as the opposition led by the party sought a trial of strength in the House that has been adjourned till Monday.
"The Central Government should ensure that no vote-buying or horse-trading takes place to retain power. There should not be use of any malpractice," BJP chief Rajnath Singh said.
On its part, the BJP, he insisted, would not resort to any unconstitutional practice to wrest power. "But if we get the support of members (from outside), we will definitely prove our majority and form the Government," he told PTI.
"But in any case, the situation should not lead to the imposition of the President's rule," he added.
In Goa, the BJP-led opposition demanded dismissal of the Digambar Kamat ministry, reduced to a minority, and accused it of failure to pass financial demands in the House.
<b>BJP leader Manohar Parrikar is tipped to stake claim to form a new Government. </b>
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Pioneer.com
Yogesh Vajpeyi | New Delhi
First credibility test for Pratibha coming up
Suspecting foul play by the Congress in Goa, the BJP has warned the Centre against any move to impose President's rule in the State.
"The Central Government should ensure that no vote-buying or horse-trading takes place to retain power. There should not be use of any malpractice. But in any case, the situation should not lead to the imposition of President's rule," BJP president Rajnath Singh said.
Singh's reaction to the ongoing political crisis in Goa was a clear indication that<b> if the Congress pressed for Central intervention in Goa, the BJP might project it as the first test of credibility for President Pratibha Patil</b>
The BJP chief's remarks late on Thursday evening followed the day's developments. Instead of proving his majority after the withdrawal of support to his Government by the Maharashtra Gomantak Party (MGP) and an Independent and the resignation of a Congress MLA on Wednesday night on the floor of the House, the Congress forced an adjournment till Monday.
"<b>If the Congress tries to impose President's rule, we expect Pratibha Patil to live up to the high ideals of Constitutional probity set by former President APJ Kalam," </b>BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Thursday.
These apprehensions were echoed by the BJP's Goa in-charge Rajiv Pratap Rudy, who is camping in Panjim to monitor the fast changing situation.
"Chief Minister Kamat should have been asked to prove his majority on Thursday itself, failing which the Governor should have dismissed his Government," he said.
Kamat's claim that he still commands a majority has tended to substantiate the Opposition fears that the Congress was up to some hanky panky. "Given the party's past record we can expect anything from them," said a senior BJP leader,
A section in the party, however, felt that the Congress might be better advised not to press for Central intervention in Goa.
If the Congress tries to get President's rule imposed, this might further expose Pratibha Patil to charges of pliability, these BJP leaders pointed out.
This might prove counter-productive for the Congress as well as Patil in the back drop of the charges leveled against her in the media during the presidential campaign, they contended.
Talking to The Pioneer from Goa, Rudy said there was no justification for preventing the opposition alliance from forming the Government now that the Kamat Government had been reduced to a minority.
The BJP leader vehemently denied the Congress charge that the BJP had resorted to horse-trading to bring down the Kamat Government.
<b>"Congress MLA Victoria Fernandes resigned from the State Assembly because she was humiliated by the Congress party," he said, adding that "the MGP had contested the last Assembly election on an anti-Congress platform and it was natural for it to join a non-Congress combination."</b>
As for as the independent MLA from Sanvordem, Anil Salgaocar, Rudy pointed out that he was a leading industrialist and any suggestion that he could be bought was ridiculous.
The BJP-led political formation comprising MGP, United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP), Save Goa Front (SGF) and an independent legislator have organised themselves under the banner of Goa Democratic Alliance (GDA).
The Congress-led alliance has 19 legislators, including Speaker Pratapsingh Rane on their side while the GDA claims the support of 20 legislators in a House whose effective strength has been reduced to 39.
The BJP said that the Centre should guard against any horse-trading for power in Goa as the opposition led by the party sought a trial of strength in the House that has been adjourned till Monday.
"The Central Government should ensure that no vote-buying or horse-trading takes place to retain power. There should not be use of any malpractice," BJP chief Rajnath Singh said.
On its part, the BJP, he insisted, would not resort to any unconstitutional practice to wrest power. "But if we get the support of members (from outside), we will definitely prove our majority and form the Government," he told PTI.
"But in any case, the situation should not lead to the imposition of the President's rule," he added.
In Goa, the BJP-led opposition demanded dismissal of the Digambar Kamat ministry, reduced to a minority, and accused it of failure to pass financial demands in the House.
<b>BJP leader Manohar Parrikar is tipped to stake claim to form a new Government. </b>
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->