Polls In Bihar, Mp, Delhi Mooted
The Samata Party has initiated a move within the BJP-led coalition to dismiss the Rabri Devi government in Bihar and hold assembly elections in the state along with Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan in November. The imposition of President's rule would not have to be ratified since the next parliament session is not due before November. The coalition lacks a majority in the Rajya Sabha, which is one of the factors preventing the government from considering the much-promised dismissal of the Rabri Devi government, and also acceding the AIADMK's demand to dismiss the M Karunanidhi government in Tamil Nadu. But if the Congress demands the dismissal of the DMK government on the basis of the mention in the Jain commission's final report, the BJP would be only too glad to act and concede AIADMK's demand. This will give more stability to the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.
A senior minister yesterday said the implications of the possible dismissal of the Bihar and Tamil Nadu governments were being discussed internally. The Congress, which had demanded the dismissal of the DMK government when the interim Jain report was leaked, cannot afford to go soft on the DMK now.
Imposition of President's rule in a state has to be ratified by both Houses of parliament when it meets after the proclamation is issued. The winter session of parliament is not expected before November, when the assembly elections are also scheduled. The calculation is that there would be too little time to protest against the dismissal of the two governments, since political parties would have to prepare for the elections.
"Once the date of elections is announced, any protest (against the dismissal of the Rabri Devi or Karunanidhi government becomes meaningless. They will all begin preparations for the elections," the minister said.
The stock of both the Samata Party and the BJP has plummeted in Bihar due to the rising prices and mainly for not carrying out the much-promised dismissal of the Rabri Devi government. The calculation is that the resentment would be largely removed by dismissing the government, and facing assembly elections in November. There is one more objective behind the BJP-led coalition's hope that the Congress demands the dismissal of the DMK government. Not only will it help the proclamation's ratification in both Houses of parliament, it would also drive a wedge among the anti-BJP forces in the opposition. The Left and the United Front are certain to oppose Karunanidhi's dismissal.