Bihar situation bad 8212; Advani

WAGAH, June 20: Home Minister Lal Krishan Advani today said the Central team sent to Bihar to assess law and order has conveyed to him that the situation in the state 8220;is not good8221; though it is yet to submit its report.

Asked whether it meant Central rule was being imposed in Bihar, Advani told reporters 8220;whatever step has to be taken will be done only after the report is submitted.8221; However, he said the BJP had never favoured the demand, raised by many, including the Akali Dal, that Article 356 should be repealed. He said the Centre would not hesitate to dismiss a state government 8220;if the situation so desired.8221;

The Home Minister had no kind words for West Bengal either. Reacting sharply to the state government questioning the Centre8217;s authority to send a team, he said the state Home Ministry would do well to study the Constitution.

Despite repeated prodding by reporters, Advani refused to be drawn into the controversy generated by AIADMK supremo Jayalalitha8217;s 8220;friendly warning8221; yesterday andsaid it was an internal matter. He denied Jayalalitha8217;s accusation that the BJP had entered into a secret pact with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Karunanidhi. 8220;We do not believe in secret deals. Whatever we do, we do openly8221;, he said.