Left Softens Stand On Article 356

The Left parties have toned down their opposition to Article 356. In view of changing conditions in various parts of the country, they feel all provisions under the Article need to be reviewed closely.

The Article empowers the Centre to dismiss popularly elected state governments and impose Presidents rule. So far, the Left parties have been demanding that the Article be completely scrapped.

Now that Left leaders are part of the United Front government, a new thinking appears to have crept in. Left leaders say that while they are against arbitrary actions against state governments, they had supported the Centres move to impose Presidents rule in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, they had supported the imposition of Presidents rule in Gujarat also.

A senior CPI leader said Article 356 should be retained after incorporating drastic amendments. He said conditions in north-eastern states make it necessary for the Article to remain in the statute books.

You cannot tolerate governments which do not function. There are some state governments in the north-east where ministers are activly conniving with militant groups. Corruption is rampant. There is a complete breakdown of law and order. This is the time when you feel the importance of having a provision like Article 356 in the Constitution, he added.

However, he and his colleagues in the CPI(M) are quick to point out that the Centres arbitrary power to dismiss state governments must go. There are so many provisions in the Article. The one which gives blanket powers to the Centre to dismiss state governments must be scrapped. Other provisions can be retained with amendments, a CPI(M) leader said.

At the first meeting of the newly constituted standing committee on Centre -state relations, Union home minister Indrajit Gupta had suggested drastic amendments to the Article.