A day ahead of vote, TDP finds fault with Govt

Political circles were agog on the stand about to be taken by Telugu Desam after a TDP member of the Rajya Sabha, C Ramachandraiah, unleashed an attack on the Vajpayee Government in the House. He alleged that the BJP was making “scapegoats”of its allies for its “failure” on all fronts.

Telugu Desam support is crucial to the passage of the resolution, whose defeat can put pressure on the Government on the ground that it does not enjoy majority in the `People’s House’. BJP has, however, ruled out resignation in case of defeat of the resolution in Parliament.

Telugu Desam is likely to announce its decision at the last minute tomorrow when the vote is expected. The Opposition leaders charged the Government with misusing Article 356 of the Constitution and said that the decision was taken to keep BJP ally Samata Party in good humour.

Leader of the Opposition Sharad Pawar said that the fate of the resolution hung in balance in the Lok Sabha with the Telugu Desam yet to make up its mind, while it faced sure defeat in the Upper House.

CPI-M Leader Somnath Chatterjee went to the extent of saying that the earlier the Vajpayee Government bowed out of office, the better it would be for the country.

RJD leader Laloo Prasad Yadav, whose party Government was dismissed, appealed to all secular parties to defeat the statutory resolution.

Home Minister L K Advani moved the resolution seeking approval for the February 12 Presidential proclamation imposing Central Rule in Bihar on the ground that there was constitutional breakdown due to internal subversion and the State Government had not heeded repeated advice to set matters right.

He said the President not only gave his assent for the Cabinet recommendation, but had also noted that Government had given repeated advice to the State Government and that he agreed with the Centre’s assessment.

Advani sought a non-partisan approach of the members on the issue, saying that those opposing the resolution would be doing a disservice to Bihar, especially to the downtrodden.

He told the Congress benches that the party was making another big mistake after the Shah Bano issue. The debate, which was often acrimonious, remained inconclusive.