BJP warns against imposing President's Rule in Orissa

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday warned the Central government against imposing President's Rule in Orissa, where anti–Christian violence crippled the miniscule community since the murder of VHP leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati on August 23.

“I warn the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government (against) imposing President's Rule in Orissa. The people are already fed up, and this will prove to be too expensive,” said BJP's prime ministerial candidate LK Advani at the party's Vijay Sankalp rally in Delhi.

Deploring the violence in Orissa, Mr. Advani said: “I have met the Christian leaders there and stated that we will not tolerate violence against them.”

Advani accused the UPA govt, of its ignorance to tackle violence in the Congress ruled Assam. "Why don't they do something about Assam's condition, which is under their governance? How come insurgents from Bangladesh are coming in?” asked Advani.

Earlier in the day, BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu also voiced his party's concerns over the possibility of imposition of President's Rule in the state.

"The BJP warns the UPA government at the Centre not to engage in constitutional adventurism by seeking to misuse and apply Article 356 on Orissa," Naiku said.

``We are confident that if the ruling coalition does go ahead by dismissing a popularly elected government, then it’ll have disastrous consequences for the Congress and its supporters in the UPA.’’

Last week, Home Minister Shivraj Patil said that Centre is unhappy with Orissa government's lack of action and there might be a possibility of President's rule in the state.

"Orissa government's inaction is a breach of Constitution and there's a growing demand for President's rule in the state," he said, adding that six warnings had earlier been sent to the authorities.

"Merely continuing to ask for additional forces after every few days cannot end the violence. The state government has to implement overall strategy for creating environment of security for the Christians," he added.