Independent MLAs 'Threatened' ... 'Abducted'

Syed Sibtey Razi, Jharkhand Governor
The Supreme Court had ruled in the S R Bommai case that the governor could use his discretion to invite a party that he thought could provide a stable government.After talking to everyone concerned, I was satisfied that the UPA could provide a stable government.Had it been only numbers, then there would not have been the need for the Governor to take a decision. The matter could have been decided straightaway.

Arjun Munda, leader of the NDA legislature party in Jharkhand
This is a murder of democracy. We had the required number of 41 MLAs. The five independents who are supporting us also met the governor. Despite this, he has invited the UPA to form the government although it did not make its list of MLAspublic. The NDA MLAs are leaving for Delhi tonight to knock on the President'sdoor.

Shibu Soren, JMM chief, sworn in as CM
I'm confident we will prove our majority by March 21.

Lalu Prasad, RJD Chief
I played a vital role in government formation in Jharkhand. In fact, I approached JMM rebel Stephen Marandi, who has been offered the post of Deputy Chief Minister, to side with theUPA.

L.K Advani, BJP President
What the Jharkhand Governor did today and what the Goa Governor did earlier are unprecedented in the history of independent India...S C Jamir and Syed Sibtey Razi have besmirched the institution of the Governor and deserve to be recalled.

In Jharkhand, the BJP-JD (U) pre-poll alliance scored a decisive victory with BJP bagging 30 seats and its alliance partner getting six whereas the Congress-JMM alliance could only win 26seats. Over and above this, the alliance not only staked claim to form the government but also submitted letters and presented independent MLAs in itssupport. We expected him to call us but we had apprehensions over the Governor's attitude when he did not invite us and said he wouldtest our claim. We apprised both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister of the situation.They asked us not to have any such apprehensions and said they have advised the Governor to go according to the Constitution but he went by his discretion. The Governor had no option but to invite the leader of the BJP-JD (U)alliance.

Even during the Emergency we were treated as a threat to democracy and Emergency was imposed when we challenged undemocratic tendencies but despite being a draconian measure, there was a measure of honesty. Now the situation is almost the same with a steadfast determination not to allow any BJP government but the honesty is not there.This attitude is wrong and a challenge to all those, including in the UPA, who value democratic norms and traditions. We will face it howsoever long the struggle is.Court intervention in the matter is not possible as the courts would say that the matter should be decided by the House.In the present situation, the government should not expect cooperation from us (in the smooth functioning of Parliament).

Anand Sharma, Congress spokesman
The Jharkhand police abducted the three MLAs -- Hari Narayan Rai, Enos Ekka and Madhu Kora -- and kept them at the Chief Minister's(Arjun Munda) residence as hostage. The development was indicative of the atmosphere of suppression unleashed by theBJP-led government and it portended a threat to democracy. L.K. Advani needs to do introspection and soul searching.The Governor has satisfied himself...Let us not cast aspersions and see the outcome of the confidence vote.
The Governor's judicious decision should not be vilified before the legislature has adopted the motion of confidence or otherwise. We are sure that the Governor has certainly verified the claims before announcing his decision.

George Fernandes, Convener, NDA
The families of NDA's MLAs were being threatened by Union Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi and former Chattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit JogiWhat is worrying is to what extent the Congress and those in power will go to. Those who wish to preserve democracy should think andunite.

Arun Jaitley, BJP general secretary and spokesman: This is a constitutional outrage the like of which has been seen only during the days of Emergency.It shocking that he (the Governor) has chosen to invite the JMM chief Shibu Soren to form the government and given time of 20 days to manipulate majority through horse trading.The Prime Minister and the Congress party leadership are active participants in the conspiracy with the Governor to commit this constitutional crime. It is a political act of a political Governor.

Chandra Shekhar, former PM
The Governor gave a go by to constitutional norms by inviting the second largest formation (JMM-Congress combine) to form a government.The established practice is that the largest party or pre-poll alliance must be first offered the opportunity to form a government with the stipulation that it must prove its support in the duly constituted assembly at an early date.Such political wrangling will only further lower the standing of our political institutions in the eyes of the people. This manner of political free-for-all does not augur well for democracy.It is an example of how the institution of Governor is being subverted to suit narrow political goals.The events in Goa are shocking to say the least. If the Speaker was willing to bend the rules a bit, the Governor has shown that he is willing to twist them out of shape.

Nilotpal Basu, CPI(M) leader
The proper place for assessment of the strength of any party is not the Governor's residence but theAssembly. Whosoever has the majority will prove their strength in the House", Basu said while referring to the formation of the government at the Centre by Atal Bihari Vajpayee for 13 days and Nitish Kumar in Bihar.