Govt., opposition on collision course over removal of Mizoram governor

Dr. Kamla Beniwal's removal as Mizoram Governor has stirred a political hornet's nest, between the NDA Government and the opposition, with both holding on to their views on this issue fiercely.

The government has justified the removal of Beniwal citing constitutional provisions, while the Shiv Sena, an ally of the BJP-led NDA Government has labelled Beniwal a politician.

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.Venkaiah Naidu said, "Action against Kamla Beniwal is not a violation of the SC judgement,there is no politics behind it, it has been done according to the Constitution."

Another BJP leader, Nalin Kohli said, "The Congress Party spokesperson should not try to make an issue of everything. If the government has removed the Mizoram Governor, there has to be cogent reasons to do so. In any case, they are quoting the Supreme Court judgement. That itself is very clear, reasons must exist, but the government need not inform the spokespersons of political parties on what those reasons are. If such a situation arises, the court may be told those reasons."

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said, "Kamla Beniwal acted more as a politician and less like a governor."

Meanwhile, the opposition Congress and its ally, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), are not ready to budge on reasons given by the government to remove Beniwal, and have instead criticised its move.

Congress leader Madhusudan Mistry said, "Her removal is wrong. After all, it's a constitutional post. It's vindictive action."

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

Congress leader from Gujarat, Arjun Modhwadia said, "This is an indication of how the coming days would be,total violation of SC judgment."

Beniwal was sacked as Governor of Mizoram yesterday with just two months to go for her term to end . She was earlier shifted from Gujarat to Mizoram. The President on the advice of the Central Government had decided to go ahead with Beniwal's sacking the wake of reports that she was party to alleged land grabbing in her home state of Rajasthan.