Laloo Has Embarrassed Country: Gupta

Terming the political developments in Bihar a `drama, Union home minister Indrajit Gupta ridiculed Laloo Prasad Yadav in the Lok Sabha yesterday, and said what he had done had embarrassed not only the United Front government but also the country.

The cause of democracy in the country has thus been brought into disrepute, he said.

Replying to the debate on the BJP-sponsored motion on the Bihar situation, Gupta, however, said Yadav was a clever man, and had seen to it that he had not committed any constitutional impropriety. As such, the Centre had no ground to dismiss his government despite strong demand from various quarters. The motion was defeated by voice-vote.

He is a clever man. He knows how to tread the constitutional path. He has not tresspassed. We had to be cautious. Even the latest development (installing wife Rabri Devi in office) took everyone by surprise, but there is nothing unconstitutional about it. This country is used to dynastic rule, people have suffered, digested and swallowed it. We hoped it had come to an end, but if Laloobabu wants to resurrect it..., Gupta remarked.

Recalling the series of events preceding Yadavs resignation as chief minister, Gupta disclosed that the solicitor-general and the additional solicitor-general had advised the government that there was no ground to dismiss his government under article 356. The charges mentioned in the charge-sheet had also not been proved.

Gupta said it was utterly distressing to note the methods used to remain in power. He said he was sure that given the conditions prevailing in Bihar, it would not be difficult to get Rabri Devi elected to the state assembly. The drama certainly did not fit in the celebrations planned for 50 years of the countrys independence.

The whole world is watching us, we are the largest democracy. Would you have less objection if he had made his brother or brother-in-law the chief minister? We all share the BJPs concern on the situation in the state...But I must praise the man, he said.

He is very persistent in whatever he does, Gupta remarked.

In a lacklustre speech, leader of the opposition Atal behari Vajpayee said the situation had not altered by Yadavs resignation in the sense that he could influence witnesses in the fodder scam. He had not relinquished power, but had merely retained it in his home in his wife. He wondered if Yadavs trial would be held impartially with his wife as chief minister.

The Prime Minister wants to take the credit for the good work done by the CBI. But will he own the lapses on the agencys part? Why was the arrest warrant issued by the special CBI court not carried out for quite some time before the Supreme Court stayed it, he questioned.