The Hindu : National : Recall Buta Singh, NDA urges Kalam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 02, 2005

National

National

Recall Buta Singh, NDA urges Kalam

Special Correspondent

Protest officials' transfer in Bihar; bracing for fight in Lok Sabha; to meet the Election Commission

PLAINT TO PRESIDENT: BJP chief L.K. Advani, along with NDA convener George Fernandes and other leaders, briefing the media after meeting President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in New Delhi on Monday, — Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

NEW DELHI: : The National Democratic Alliance is preparing for a stormy debate on Bihar in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday when the Government is expected to seek the approval of the House for extension of President's Rule in the State.

Parties of the NDA have reportedly issued a whip asking their MPs to be present to vote against President's Rule.

Lalu manipulating

Bihar was one of the subjects discussed at a meeting of NDA leaders on Monday morning, and as decided, an NDA delegation led by L.K. Advani and George Fernandes met President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in the evening to lodge their protest against the actions of the Bihar Governor Buta Singh who has recently transferred a number of officials. The NDA leaders are also planning to meet the Election Commission on Wednesday.

Mr. Advani later told reporters that the NDA had demanded that Mr. Buta Singh be recalled. The administration in Bihar, he added, was being run in the name of the President, and the NDA felt it was important to inform him that it was being "manipulated" by the Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad.

An Opposition-sponsored motion on Bihar suggesting that President's Rule should be ended and the Assembly revived (which would mean no fresh elections) is expected to be debated in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday under rule 184 that provides for a vote.

The NDA has decided to gather all its political forces together for the occasion, Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson V.K. Malhotra said on Monday while indicating that the NDA was hopeful of getting some support from non-NDA parties.

Informal plan

Apparently, according to a plan worked out informally between the Opposition and the ruling benches, the Government's resolution in favour of extending President's Rule in Bihar will be taken up immediately after the debate on Bihar under rule 184.

"Since the subject would have already been debated, the Government resolution would probably be carried with a voice vote without a fresh debate," one Opposition leader said.

BJP vice-president Sushil Modi told reporters that the Governor's two sons, Sweety and Lovely, were interfering in the administration, the "Governor has become a puppet in the hands of the RJD chief," the Congress and Left were "also responsible" for the state of affairs that was "no better than what it was under RJD rule", and an RJD MP against whom there were non-bailable warrants was roaming freely.

He added that the manner in which transfers were being ordered had led to a controversy with the Chief Secretary of the State proceeding on leave.

Former Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Prime Minister had talked about accountability, responsibility and transparency in governance, but sadly none of these virtues was visible in Bihar, which under the President's Rule was the Centre's responsibility.

Buta Singh meets Patil

Buta Singh met Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil here on Monday night.

The Governor is learnt to have explained the circumstances behind the large-scale transfer of IPS officers in the State that has kicked up a controversy with the National Democratic Alliance demanding his recall.

Sources said that during his 15-minute meeting with Mr. Patil, Mr. Singh admitted to some differences with the Chief Secretary, who has gone on long leave to show his disapproval of the move.

After the transfers, the Governor was summoned to the Capital by the Home Minister.

Mr. Patil is said to have expressed his displeasure over the "non-consultation'' with the Chief Secretary on the transfers.

Bihar was brought under President's Rule on March 7.

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

National