Strongly defending Governor`s decision to impose President`s rule in Uttar Pradesh, Law Minister Arun Jaitley on Monday said the step was taken to prevent horse trading as the Opposition termed the decision as against federal character of the Constitution.
"This is not the case of a Chief Minister trying to prove his majority in the Assembly, but this is the case of inviting another claimant against whom 206 members had ruled out support," Jaitley told the Rajya Sabha.
Replying to a discussion on role of governors in discharging their constitutional responsibilities in the formation of governments in states in the light of recent events in UP, Jaitley said Governor Vishu Kant Shastri had no other choice but to recommend central rule.
Citing an example, he said after a similar deadlock, the then Governor had dissolved the Kerala Assembly in 1965.
Jaitley said when Shastri met Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav, the latter "presented him with 145 members supporting him", which was far less than the majority required.
Stating that BSP with 98 members and BJP with 108 MLAs had ruled out support to Yadav, Jaitley said this meant that Yadav had only the assured support of 145 MLAs, including two from CPI (M), with Congress remaining undecided.
Following the death of an SP MLA under shocking circumstances, the strength of the party came down to 144, he said. Bureau Report