How do you justify the promulgation of President’s rule?
The results of the assembly elections have led to an unprecedented situation in . No single party or group has got an absolute majority and among the UF, Congress-BSP and BJP, no two groups have managed to come to any sort of agreement about forming a government. So, there was no option for either the governor or the Centre to do anything else.
Since the BJP emerged as the largest single party, shouldn’t it have been given a chance?
The BJP maybe the single largest party but it is well short of a majority. And both the other groups have told the governor that they will not support the BJP if it is invited to form the government. So how does the BJP claim a majority? Through purchasing MLAs? It is to avoid such a situation that President’s rule became a necessity but you must realise that the assembly has been notified and kept in suspended animation as the people have given their verdict.
Will the UF try and form a government in ?
The possibility cannot be ruled out. That is what a suspended assembly means. That the attempts at government formation should continue. We too are exploring all options and I can say nothing more at this stage. We will wait and see.
All UF constituents have criticised the use of Article 356 by the Centre and many have called for its abolition. Doesn’t that place you in an awkward situation vis-a-vis UP?
No, because our stand has always been and continues to be that the misuse of this Article to dismiss duly elected state governments is reprehensible. There is no change. It is a fallacy to compare the current situation in UP with any other.
