Saturday, Jul 20, 2002
Saturday, Jul 20, 2002 |
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By Manas Dasgupta
In a day of swift developments, Mr. Modi convened a special meeting of the Cabinet which unanimously adopted a one-line resolution recommending to the Governor to dissolve the Assembly. Armed with the resolution, Mr. Modi along with some of his senior Cabinet colleagues called on the Governor and handed over to him the resolution along with the resignation of his Ministry. Mr. Modi later told mediapersons that it would be for the Election Commission to set a date but claimed that there were precedents for holding early elections in such circumstances. He was hopeful that the State's request would be accepted. The Cabinet meeting was preceded by a similar one on Tuesday night which, however, refrained from taking any decision on dissolution of the Assembly and dispersed after discussing the problems arising out of the delayed monsoon. While dissolution was on the cards, Mr. Modi apparently needed to consult the central leadership before going ahead with the resolution. The State Congress president and Mr. Modi's arch rival, Shankarsinh Waghela, while reiterating that his party was ready to face the elections any time, however, wondered about the "haste" with which the Assembly was being dissolved even when the Modi Ministry faced no threat. The reasons for which the elections to the municipalities and some panchayats were postponed earlier were also valid vis-a-vis the Assembly elections and the Election Commission should not agree to the State's request. He also demanded the imposition of President's rule in the State before the elections to ensure a free and fair poll. Asked about Mr. Waghela's appointment as the State Congress president, Mr. Modi said it was strange that the Congress had accepted "as its present'' what was the "past of the BJP.'' He was confident that the people of Gujarat would reject the "BJP's past'' and vote the "present'' back to power. His party's main election plank would be the promise of a "modern, safe and progressive Gujarat.'' Mr. Modi was keen on going to the polls by June but was advised against it by the central leadership for various reasons. Besides, the party was doubtful of the EC agreeing to hold the elections at the height of the communal disturbances, particularly with thousands of riot victims living in relief camps. The leadership was also not prepared to risk losing the votes of the Assembly members in the crucial Presidential elections. But with the peaceful completion of the Jagannath rath yatra, which the riot victims feared could spark another round of disturbances, the end of the Presidential polls and the closing down of most of the relief camps for the riot victims, Mr. Modi may not encounter any other hindrance to the early elections. He has also made his security adviser, K.P.S. Gill, to relinquish his office and return to Delhi to impress upon the EC that the law and order situation is conducive.
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