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Bhandari may step down at 'appropriate time'

Highly-placed sources in New Delhi indicated today that suggestions have been made to Uttar Pradesh Governor Romesh Bhandari to ''step down at an appropriate time'' in the wake of the recent developments in the state.

According to the sources, the suggestions was sent to the governor after President K R Narayanan wrote to Prime Minister I K Gujral, seeking the latter's advice on the issue.

Gujral, who is away on an election tour, spoke on the telephone with the President last night. The prime minister is returning to the capital this evening and is expected to call on the President late tonight, sources close to Gujral said.

Bhandari, when contacted on the telephone, said he had neither received any letter nor any communication from the prime minister.

The President, it is understood, mentioned various controversial actions of the governor and inquired whether a change was not called for. The President's letter, the second since the UP crisis erupted, reflected his strong feelings regarding Bhandari, who had ignored his suggestion not to rush into dismissing the Kalyan Singh government.

The sources said the Centre was essentially keeping quiet because it never wanted to precipitate the situation at a time when the state was going through an election. Although the governor's conduct had attracted severe criticism, the government was also seeking legal opinion.

The sources said suggestions had been made to the governor that he should quit "at an appropriate time" so that the election process which has started in the state would not be affected.

Although various political parties which had called on the President during the last few days had been repeatedly demanding the governor's dismissal, Narayanan has chosen not to act on his own. The President was awaiting a recommendation from the Cabinet which is a constitutional requirement for him to act.

Now that the President has written a letter to the prime minister, Gujral may convey his views directly when he calls on Narayanan later in the day.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh said the judiciary, which was quick to respond to the BJP's demand for restoration of Kalyan Singh as chief minister, is yet to take a decision on the 30-month old plea by Mulayam Singh that he was denied an opportunity for a floor test in the Uttar Pradesh assembly.

In a statement, Singh said two-and-a-half years had passed and the judiciary was yet to decide on the issue and whatever may be the reasons for the delay, to a layman this is bound to appear as ''uneven treatment.''

The former prime minister said questions therefore arose over accountability of the judiciary and uniform dispensation of justice. Such delays as in disposing of Mulayam Singh's plea under similar circumstances lend credence to the charge of partiality of treatment.

The judiciary has also not taken into account disqualification of 12 rebel Bahujan Samaj Party MLAs which is pending with the UP assembly speaker for over four months. While these MLAs are participating in the process of changing governments, a decision is yet to be taken on their status. Such instances, he said, pointed to the necessity for a law to ensure time-bound decisions.

Singh also noted with concern reports of the Bharatiya Janata Party resorting to horse-trading since the Supreme Court judgment on Tuesday in its bid to consolidate its government.

UNI

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