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Joshi flays President for giving Sonia more time

Union Human Resource Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi has strongly opposed President K R Narayanan's decision to give more time to Congress president Sonia Gandhi to explore the possibilities of forming an alternative government at the Centre.

In a statement in New Delhi on Friday night, he said the President's decision violated all established democratic conventions. Seven days after Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee lost the confidence vote, the Congress ''had not been able to reach anywhere near making an alternative arrangement''.

Sonia had asked for two days. On the expiry of this deadline, the President is reported to have extended the deadline indefinitely. He said this is unheard of and expressly partisan.

''I am surprised that there has been no concern over the continuing uncertainty. This will only encourage horse trading. People do not expect this from the President of India who is the protector of the Constitution and has a duty to uphold the democratic traditions and political fair play. It will be a bad day for the Indian democracy if the President's decision is seen as unfair,'' he said.

He said he was hopeful that the President would take immediate steps to end the present political impasse and restore the government of Vajpayee ''who today enjoys the total confidence of the nation and is capable of providing a viable government''.

Dr Joshi said it had now become 'clear as day light' that the Congress was not in a position to form an alternative government. ''I urge upon the President not to give more time to Mrs Gandhi to indulge in horse trading,'' he added.

UNI

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