Date:29/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/29/stories/2008062959460600.htm
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JD(U) criticises Gavai’s shifting

Patna: Peeved over Governor R S Gavai’s transfer to Kerala, Bihar’s ruling JD(U) on Saturday said the Central move has raised “serious doubts about its intentions in view of the impending Lok Sabha elections.”

“There was no plausible reason for Mr. Gavai’s transfer barely two years into office. The step is also in contravention of the Sarkaria Commission’s recommendations on Centre-state relations,” JD(U) General Secretary and chief spokesman Shivanand Tiwari said.

The cordial relations the Governor had with the state’s NDA Government could have been a reason behind the transfer, Mr. Tiwari, a Rajya Sabha member, said.

The Sarkaria Commission, he said, favoured the shifting of a Governor only in exceptional cases and suggested a replacement be made in consultation with the Chief Minister.

‘Not consulted’

“We are taken aback as no exceptional situation is currently prevailing in Bihar and the State Government was not consulted in the matter. Our suspicion also stems from the fact that an old Congress hand has replaced Mr. Gavai,” he said.

The Centre had on Thursday shifted Mr. Gavai to Kerala and replaced him with the Governor of the south Indian state and former Union minister R L Bhatia.- PTI

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