The Hindu : Cabinet recommends dissolution of Lok Sabha on February 6

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 28, 2004

Front Page

Front Page

Cabinet recommends dissolution of Lok Sabha on February 6

By K.V. Prasad and P. Sunderarajan

NEW DELHI, JAN. 27. The Vajpayee Government tonight decided to recommend the dissolution of the 13th Lok Sabha on February 6, a day after the reconvened winter session of Parliament ends.

The Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, communicated the decision of his Cabinet to the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, at a late evening meeting at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Mr. Vajpayee told the President that the formal dissolution would take place after the Government completed its constitutional obligation of seeking votes on accounts (Railways and General) 2004-05 and the Finance Bill, 2004 and other exigencies of Government business by February 5 from Parliament, a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesman said.

The reconvened winter session is scheduled to be held between January 29 and February 5.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, the Defence Minister and National Democratic Alliance convener, George Fernandes, and the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj.

The President, who was scheduled to leave the capital this evening for Chhattisgarh, postponed his visit after a request this afternoon from the Prime Minister's Office seeking an appointment. The Prime Minister met Mr. Kalam, at 8.45 p.m. The meeting lasted 15 minutes.

Articles 83(2) and 85(2) of the Constitution provide for dissolution of the Lok Sabha, ahead of expiry of its tenure. The 13th Lok Sabha was constituted on October 13, 1999 and it had its first session between October 20 and 29, 1999. Later briefing correspondents about the Cabinet's decision, Ms. Swaraj said the decision to recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha was held back till tonight both on account of the Republic Day and that a foreign dignitary was on a State visit. She said the Prime Minister had explained to the President the circumstances as to why his Government was seeking votes on account. He also carried a Cabinet authorisation certificate recommending the dissolution.

Ms. Swaraj said that during the reconvened session both the Railways and Finance Ministers could make announcements, as it was their prerogative. She said a vote on account was taken last in March 1998 when Mr. Vajpayee had formed the Government since there was little time then to present a full-fledged Budget.

She recounted that the process to advance the Lok Sabha polls began earlier this year when the constituents of the National Democratic Alliance authorised the Prime Minister to decide on early Lok Sabha polls. Later the Bharatiya Janata Party at its national executive in Hyderabad this month decided to hold early elections.

After this, the Prime Minister had asked both the Finance Minister, Jaswant Singh, and the Railways Minister, Nitish Kumar, to prepare to seek a vote on account from Parliament.

Ms. Swaraj said that since both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha had not been prorogued, the Government had decided to reconvene the winter session after the Houses were adjourned sine die on December 23, 2003.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section

Cabinet recommends dissolution of Lok Sabha on February 6

India-Pakistan official-level talks from February 16

India bans import of domestic and wild birds

Bihar Governor's remarks draw fire

Medha Patkar continues fast

Congress hits back at Mahajan

Oil tanker catches fire