Recall Gujarat Governor: BJP

NEW DELHI: Angry at the “undemocratic” appointment of Lokayukta in Gujarat, the BJP on Tuesday paralysed Parliament and agitated outside, seeking recall of Governor Kamla Beniwal and warning the Centre of non-cooperation if it did not heed its demands. The BJP members created uproar and forced repeated adjournments of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, contending that the mandatory consent of Chief Minister Narendra Modi had not been taken in appointment of the Lokayukta. Raising the matter in the Lok Sabha, senior BJP leader L K Advani said the Constitution provides that the Governor would act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers but it was violated in case of Gujarat. “This is not the first attack on federalism in the context of Gujarat. It has been happening regularly,” said Advani, leading the party’s attack over the issue and adding that BJP intends to meet President Pratibha Patil to seek recall of the Governor. Amid repeated disruptions caused by ruling party members, Advani referred to Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee and said the Congress Government at the Centre had been seeking cooperation of the BJP on various issues. “If the Centre does not respect the federal structure, it will be useless to expect cooperation from us,” he said. In the Rajya Sabha too, the BJP raised the issue.