CPI (M) Condemns Imposition Of Central Rule in Maharashtra

Communist Party of  India  (Marxist) has  condemned imposition of  President’s Rule in Maharashtra  under Article  356 of the  Constitution saying it is intended  to  help the BJP  indulge in  horse trading. The Politburo of the Left party in a statement in New Delhi strongly condemns the abrupt manner in which President’s rule has been imposed in Maharashtra.  Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari   had given time to the  main Opposition  party, NCP,  till 8.30    PM  IST  on Tuesday, November  12  to submit  a list of majority  support of the elected MLAs to form  government.  Even before the deadline set by him was over, he recommended imposition of Article 356 by the President of India. A hurriedly-called Union Cabinet meeting, just before the PM  Narendra Modi’s ’s departure for Brazil to attend BRICS summit, endorsed the Governor’s recommendation and forwarded it to the  President  for the imposition of Central rule. All these developments directly contravene the Supreme Court judgment  on the Bommai case where it has been categorically stated that the only place where the claim to form a government can be established through a majority of the elected members is the Floor of the House.  “Without going through the procedures laid down by law, the BJP has acted in this manner, thus, brazenly violating our Constitutional Order. It is clear that utilizing the period of President’s rule, the BJP will indulge in all the methods in its arsenal to manufacture a majority for itself as it has done in several states earlier. This constitutes yet another assault on the Indian Constitution by the Modi government. This must be resolutely opposed by all secular democratic forces”, said the Politburo.