Tags:
Journalism of Courage
NEW DELHI, April 15: The Government today evaded responding to the latest bombshell from AIADMK supremo Jayalalitha. Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee told correspondents at a function at the Vice President’s residence this evening that he had neither seen Jayalalitha’s statement, nor had he received a letter from her regarding his Cabinet. “I was in Guwahati and returned only this evening,” he said.
Vajpayee’s evasive replies underline the dilemma in which his Government has been placed by Jayalalitha’s demand that all chargesheeted ministers in the Cabinet follow Muthiah’s example and resign.
It is a tricky situation. Apart from Communications Minister Buta Singh, who faces charges in the JMM bribery case, virtually the entire top brass of the BJP stands chargesheeted in the Ayodhya demolition case. The list includes Home Minister L K Advani and HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi. Of course, the party has consistently maintained that these are political in nature and therefore cannot be compared tocharges of corruption. But technically speaking, till the Ayodhya demolition case is dropped, those named in the chargesheet are under trial.
Jayalalitha shrewdly avoided taking names at her press conference today. Thus, it is not clear who she is targeting.
The indications this evening were that the Government hopes to call the AIADMK chief’s bluff on the issue. Vajpayee clearly cannot drop Advani and Joshi from his cabinet. At the same time, he also cannot ask Buta Singh to quit after having inducted him, knowing full well that he was facing trial in the JMM case.
In fact, Singh drove to court for a hearing immediately after the swearing-in ceremony on March 19.
“Everyone knew when the Government was formed that Buta Singh faces a chargesheet (in the JMM case). Why was the issue not raised then?” defended a Vajpayee aide.
BJP sources see Jayalalitha’s demand today as part of her campaign to pressurise the Centre to dismiss the Karunanidhi Government in Chennai. The party was hoping that it hadbought peace with her by making stern noises against the State Government.
On Tuesday, Home Minister L K Advani publicly warned the DMK Government to take immediate action against the Al Umma extremists. In addition, he despatched a Central team headed by a Special Secretary in the Ministry to report back on the law and order situation in the State. But obviously, it was not enough and Jayalalitha dropped enough hints at her press conference that the BJP must move faster and more decisively on the dismissal question.Advani’s actions on Tuesday indicate that the Centre is preparing the ground to axe the DMK Government.
However, the BJP is reluctant to do anything before the end of the crucial budget session. Jayalalitha obviously has other ideas and today’s demand was a powerful signal of her displeasure.
