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February 22, 1998

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Bhandari says he prevented horse-trading by Kalyan

Uttar Pradesh Governor Romesh Bhandari, while dismissing the Kalyan Singh government, is understood to have chosen the "most democratic" method of allowing a group which claimed the majority to keep its flock together instead of allowing a minority group to "fill up the gap" through horse-trading.

In his report to President K R Narayanan, the governor is learnt to have said that his decision was to avoid the question of horse-trading to the maximum extent possible.

According to sources, Bhandari also communicated to the President that he took the decision of dismissal after deep thought and consultation with experts about the precedents. He stated that Kalyan Singh did not agree to resign even after his government was reduced to a minority.

Bhandari is also understood to have stated that Loktantrik Congress leader Jagdambika Pal's claim was supported by letters from leaders of all parties except the BJP and the Samata Party. The letters were from entire groups and not from any breakaway faction.

Under the anti-defection law it is now an accepted parliamentary practice that a letter from the leader of a party is accepted by the head of state signifying support or withdrawal, the governor is understood to have pointed out.

Though the S R Bommai case related to the dismissal of a government under Article 356 of the Constitution, the governor said he was following the judgment that a majority or otherwise should be tested on the floor of the House.

He has also recalled the precedent of June 1995 when the governor overruled the request of the then chief minister Mulayam Singh Yadav to test his majority after the Bahujan Samaj Party withdrew its support from him.

UNI

Elections '98

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