Date:10/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/10/stories/2008061054511000.htm

National

BJP demands recall of Goa Governor

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday stepped up its campaign for the recall of Goa Governor S.C. Jamir. A BJP delegation led by Manohar Parrikar, the Leader of the Opposition in the Goa Assembly and former Chief Minister, submitted a memorandum to President Pratibha Patil, alleging that Mr. Jamir was acting in a “biased, partisan and unconstitutional” manner.

The BJP began the campaign after the Governor prorogued the Assembly on January 17 on the advice of the Goa government, which had been reduced to a minority due to the resignation of three Ministers and withdrawal of support by three other MLAs.

“We request you to kindly enquire into the above episode and initiate appropriate steps to replace the Governor of the State of Goa, in the interest of maintaining the high dignity of the post of Governor,” the memorandum said.

“The memorandum is signed by over two lakh Goans in support of the demand,” said Rajiv Pratap Rudy, the BJP leader incharge of party affairs in Goa. The State government, headed by Digambar Kamat, completed one year in office on June 7.

The memorandum said the proroguing of the Assembly was in “blatant violation of the apex court’s direction in the Bommai case.”