The Hindu : President's rule imposed in U.P.

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 09, 2002

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President's rule imposed in U.P.
By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH. 8. The President, K.R. Narayanan, tonight signed the proclamation bringing Uttar Pradesh under Central rule and keeping the newly-elected State Assembly in suspended animation.

Mr. Narayanan signed the proclamation after considering the report of the U.P. Governor, Vishnu Kant Shastri, and the recommendation of the Union Cabinet sent to him yesterday, according to a senior Home Ministry official.

The Presidential proclamation would need to be ratified by both Houses of Parliament within two months for the Central rule to remain in force for a period of six months.

The BJP-led NDA coalition would be in for a tough time in enlisting the support of the Congress in Rajya Sabha as the NDA coalition does not enjoy a majority in the House of Elders. The Congress has not committed itself even on the overtures of the Samajwadi Party to form the government in Lucknow after it emerged as the single largest group with 143 MLAs in the 403-member Assembly.

Sources in the Home Ministry said the communication about the Presidential proclamation has been conveyed to the U.P.

Governor by a senior Ministry official. The Gazette notification is also being issued, official sources said.

The U.P. Governor on Wednesday night had recommended imposition of President's rule in the State as the elections had thrown up a hung Assembly with no party reaching the half-way mark. His recommendation was endorsed by the Union Cabinet last night. The recommendation was made under Article 356 (1) of the Constitution.

LJP not to support BSP, SP

PTI reports from Lucknow:

The Lok Janshakti Party president, Ram Vilas Paswan, today met the Governor and categorically stated that his party would not support the Samajwadi Party (SP) or the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in government formation in Uttar Pradesh.

Mr. Paswan told the Governor, Vishnu Kant Shastri, that his party would lend support to a BJP government led by Rajnath Singh. His stand assumes significance in the wake of reports of the BJP and BSP coming together for government formation in the State.

Later, Mr. Paswan told reporters he had a commitment with the BJP to support it in government formation but in case the BJP supports any other party, the LJP was not obliged to back it.

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