Cong., Left slam recall decision

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 1. The Centre's decision to recall the Tamil Nadu Governor, Ms. Fathima Beevi, has evoked a sharp reaction from the opposition parties. Predictably, the sharpest reactions came from the Congress and the Left.

The Congress described the decision as ``vindictive, hasty, ill- considered and motivated.'' The CPI and the CPI(M) said it was ``totally unwarranted and an undemocratic step.'' The Governor had only a nominal role to play as the Constitutional head and could not be held responsible for the events related to the arrest of the former Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, and two Union Ministers on Saturday.

The Centre had used the incidents as an excuse to get even with Ms. Fatima Beevi. ``It was waiting to get even with her for administering oath of office to Ms. Jayalalithaa against the wishes of the Home Minister,'' said the AICC general secretary, Ms. Ambika Soni - a view echoed by the Left as well. ``The NDA and the DMK have been demanding her removal, the Government has used the developments in Tamil Nadu to fulfil that demand,'' the Left parties said.

Taking up the cudgels for Ms. Fatima Beevi, the Congress took exception to the summary manner in which the Governor was recalled. The party defended the report sent by her in response to the Centre's directive. ``A Governor cannot be expected to send a tailor-made report to suit the Central Government,'' said a senior leader.

The party also saw little merit in the charge that Ms. Fathima Beevi's report was prepared in consultation with the State Government. ``She has no independent machinery of her own... How can a Governor be expected to collect facts independently,'' asked Mr. Jaipal Reddy.

Anticipating the Centre's thinking on imposing President's rule in Tamil Nadu, the Congress sought to pre-empt it by saying it would oppose it tooth and nail. (The party's support is crucial as the NDA Government does not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha). ``There is no constitutional breakdown and the situation does not warrant such a move,'' said Mr. Reddy.

The CPI(M) and the CPI also absolved Ms. Fathima Beevi and said in a joint statement ``the Governor acted and behaved as per the Constitutional norms.'' Accusing the BJP-led Government of trying to install pliable Governors in all States, the parties said Ms. Fathima Beevi was recalled so that the Centre could send a person of its choice to Tamil Nadu.

The CPI (ML-L) said the Centre over-reacted and the act underscored that there was ``little dignity and meaning left'' in the office of the Governor. Stating that the behaviour meted out to Mr. Karunanidhi was unfortunate, the party added that the decision to recall the Governor also set a wrong precedent.

Naidu supports move

PTI reports from Hyderabad:

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, endorsed the decision to recall Ms. Fathima Beevi and said ``we will support any decision taken by the NDA Government.'' Speaking to reporters at the inauguration of the Indian Business School, Mr. Naidu, without elaborating further, said ``law will take its own course.''

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