BJP, opposition indulge in war of words over Beniwal's sacking

The row over the sacking of Mizoram Governor Kamla Beniwal refuses to die down as opposition leaders continue to question the NDA government over the sacking, while BJP leaders have defended the government over her sacking.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, "Sacking Kamla Beniwal sends a negative message against government that it doesn't respect the Constitution, hope it is reconsidered."

He also added, "It's against the Supreme Court's judgement. There has been no serious allegation against her. Just two months before she finishes her tenure, to sack her gives a very wrong indication. It shows the ideology of the government. This is completely unacceptable. It is weakening the democratic institutions of our country."

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad however, said that the decision on Kamla Beniwal was well within constitutional rules and the decision was taken by the President.

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan also defended the government by saying, "When the government changed this year, the governors should have resigned willfully. Governors' appointment is totally political. It is the prerogative of the president, the decision can't be challenged."

NCP chief Sharad Pawar said earlier today, "It's clear cut political vendetta, it's most unfortunate how this government has acted."

Beniwal was sacked as Governor of Mizoram yesterday with just two months to go for her term to end.

She had earlier been shifted from Gujarat to Mizoram.

The President on the advice of the Central Government had decided to go ahead with Beniwal's sacking in the wake of reports that she was party to alleged land grabbing in her home state of Rajasthan.