Southern States - Karnataka-Bangalore

Gowda for dismissal of Gujarat Govt.

By Our Special Correspondent

Bangalore March 2. The former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader, H.D. Deve Gowda, has demanded the dismissal of the Gujarat Government for "indulging in State-sponsored terrorism", the like of which has never been witnessed in the country.

He told presspersons here today that instead of upholding the law, the Government had remained a mute spectator. The police could not do much without receiving directions from the authorities concerned. The National Democratic Alliance-led Government at the Centre was also to blame for the failure of the Gujarat police machinery, and it had not acted earnestly over the past four days despite the massacre of a large number of people.

The former Prime Minister said, "It is quite evident that the Prime Minister, A.B. Vajpayee, is caught between the BJP and the RSS hardliners on the one side, and the allies of the NDA on the other. Instead of looking to safeguard his chair, the Prime Minister should act in the interests of the country at large. The Centre has deployed the Army in Gujarat, but the latter can do no more than make its presence felt with route marches. If the Army has to act, it is for the Gujarat civil administration to issue instructions."

Mr. Deve Gowda demanded an inquiry by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court into the Godhra incident involving the torching of the Sabarmati Express and said the culprits should be brought to book.

Referring to the situation in Uttar Pradesh which is presently under a caretaker government, he said the leader of the Samajwadi Party, Mulayam Singh Yadav should be asked to take charge. The caretaker government under Rajnath Singh should be asked to go in since it could not take important decisions on matters such as the Ram temple issue. If the Centre was not keen on Mr. Yadav, then President's rule should be clamped in Uttar Pradesh.

Mr. Deve Gowda said the threat by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to begin construction of the temple on March 15 should be handled sternly.

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Stories in this Section

• Govt. urged to close down `fake' college
• JD(U) leaders urge Hegde to stay on in politics
• Gowda for dismissal of Gujarat Govt.
• Muslim leaders condemn massacre
• Union ministers to redress BJP legislators' grievances
• Funds sought for temples

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