archive: Sonia violated law by registering as a voter: BJP
Sonia violated law by registering as a voter: BJP
Observer Political Bureau
The Observer
May 12, 1999
Title: Sonia violated law by registering as a voter: BJP
Author: Observer Political Bureau
Publication: The Observer
Date: May 12, 1999
The BJP on Tuesday alleged that Congress President Sonia Gandhi, in
contravention of the law, had registered herself as a voter in the New
Delhi constituency without giving up her Italian citizenship and
demanded that the Congress clarify the matter.
In another statement, the BJP officially said that Uttar Pradesh Chief
Minister Kalyan Singh would not be replaced and the BJP President
Kushabhau Thakre, and the state-level leadership, would "settle" the
matter of the dissidence amicably.
Briefing reporters, party spokesperson K L Sharma said, "a news report
in an English daily had exposed how Soma Gandhi had herself registered
as a voter in India for the New Delhi constituency without giving up
her Italian citizenship. "
Mr Sharma said, the BJP demanded that the Congress give its response
to three questions:
One, if it was a fact that Sonia Gandhi had registered herself as a
voter in January 1980 without giving up her Italian citizenship?
Two, if it was a fact that after her name was struck off the list in
1982 she had herself re-registered in January 1983, once again without
giving up her ltalian citizenship.
Three, if It was a fact that she was registered as an Indian citizen
on April 30, 1983?
Mr Sharma pointed out that the Registration of electoral rules and the
section 31 of the Representation of the People Act was clear that
"only names of those who are citizens of India should be entered on
the electoral rules and that any person who makes a statement or
declaration which is false shall be punishable with imprisonment for a
term which may extend to one year or with or both."
The BJP spokesperson said that it was for the Congress to clarify
"what steps should be taken to enforce the law in this case."
In the dissidence in UP, Mr Sharma ruled out any replacement of Chief
Minister Kalyan Singh said "the matter will be settled amicably by the
state-level leaders under the guidance of Party President Kushabhau
Thakre. "
Pointing out that Tuesday was the first anniversary of Pokhran II and
that the BJP was celebrating "Resurgent India day" all over the
nation, Mr Sharma said, "the nuclear tests conducted by the Vajpayee
Government firmly demonstrated our nation's indigenous scientific
capability as being second to none in the world."
Saying that the Left and the Congress were "pressure prone" to the
machinisations of the Western powers, he said, "India today is more
secure, the nuclear monopoly of the P-5 nations had been broken, India
had proved its economic clout by beat" the sanctions and consequently
was at peace with its neighbours and the rest of the world."
He said that the Left's "sudden turn around against India's nuclear
explosions can only mean that either It is under pressure from its
foreign masters or it is not interested in India's sovereignty and
security. "
Mr Sharma also said that as far as the CTBT was concerned "a decision
on the matter will be taken only after taking all other political
parties into confidence."
He also justified the transfer of Governors by the Vajpayee Government
saying that "until the notification of the schedule, the government
was within its rights to appoint Governors."
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