HVK Archives: Foul!
Foul! - The Economic Times
Editorial
()
20 September 1996
Title : Foul!
Author : Editorial
Publication : The Economic Times
Date : September 20, 1996
The ruling United Front has shown its spots and they look
very much like those of the Congress. The imposition of
President's rule in Gujarat is an act of extreme cynicism
and reveals a poor grasp of realpolitik. Admittedly, the
display of rowdyism in the Gujarat House on Wednesday is
a matter of serious concern. But it does not constitute
a breakdown of constitutional government. If it did,
there would be perpetual President's rule in a great many
states. Any opposition group in any of the states would
gladly oblige with gorier displays of violence in the
legislature. If tomorrow the Congress Opposition in West
Bengal throws a bloody tantrum, will the Central govern-
ment pronounce breakdown of constitutional government and
dismiss the Left Front government? For the most part of
the eighties, it is worth recalling, the legislature just
did not function in Bihar precisely because the proceed-
ings would be disrupted by unruly behaviour of the mem-
bers. The government used to rule through ordinances, as
the House could transact no business. Admittedly, there
was mischief afoot in the Gujarat House. But it was the
monopoly of neither the ruling BJP nor of the Opposition.
In the latest episode of foul play, the ball had been set
rolling when the Congressman Deputy Speaker adjourned the
House after granting recognition to the breakaway BJP
group and aborting the BJP chief minister's move to
secure a vote of confidence.
The Left partners of the United Front are on record
demanding the abolition of ' Article 356 of the Constitu-
tion which permits the Union government to dismiss state
governments. The other constituents too have declared
themselves opposed to the misuse of Article 356 - some of
them have been victims of the malpractice in the past.
Prime Minister Deve Gowda denied any prospective Central
intervention in Gujarat just the other day. When they
get together to act in direct contravention of their
stated positions, they expose themselves to be as unprin-
cipled as the Congress. They also reveal their political
ineptitude - a major fallout of their opportunistic
decision is to give the BJP a shot in the arm while
campaigning for the forthcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly
elections.
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