Shivraj Patil steps up pressure after several warnings fall on deaf ears
NEW DELHI: In the aftermath of the international dimension that the violence against Christians in Orissa has assumed, the Centre seems preparing a case to clamp President’s rule in the state. This was amply clear from Home Minister Shivraj Patil’s assertion on Saturday that the Orissa government’s “inaction was a breach of the Constitution”.
Usually not given to tough talking, Patil has for the first time referred to the possibility of imposing President’s rule in Orissa which has been facing unabated communal violence for the past two months. He made this assertion in an interview to a private TV channel on Saturday.
Close on the heels of a terse advisory sent by him to Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Patil said that Delhi might have to accept the demand for imposition of President’s rule in Orissa if the situation worsened further. He has referred to the possibility of invoking Article 356 after his ministry sent six missives to the state, including one from the home minister himself and two by Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta.
Commenting on the prevailing situation in the state, Patil said, “The state government’s inaction is a breach of the Constitution and there is a growing demand for imposition of President’s rule.”
Patnaik, however, said he saw no reason for such drastic action by the Centre. “The Governor and I discussed the Kandhamal situation and also the recent flood in the state,” he said after an hour-long meeting with the governor.
Following the international condemnation of violence against Christians in Orissa, the Centre seems to be preparing to clamp President’s rule in the state. This was clear from Home Minister Shivraj Patil’s assertion on Saturday that Orissa government’s “inaction was a breach of the Constitution”.
Usually not given to tough talking, Patil has for the first time referred to the possibility of imposing President’s rule in Orissa.
On the heels of a terse advisory sent by him to Orissa CM Naveen Patnaik, Patil said that Delhi might have to accept the demand for imposition of President’s rule if the situation worsened. The ministry has sent six missives to the state including one from Patil himself.
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