ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Romesh Bhandari quits

Uttar Pradesh Governor Romesh Bhandari has resigned.

Bhandari told the media in Lucknow that he had faxed his resignation to President K R Narayanan. A detailed letter was being sent by courier, he added.

In reply to a question, the outgoing governor said he had not talked to the President in this regard.

Asked about the reason he had cited in the resignation letter, Bhandari said, ''I believe the new government at the Centre may not have faith in me. If this feeling is there, one should quit the post.''

Defending his controversial role in dismissing the Kalyan Singh government in the state last month, Bhandari maintained that his action under Articles 162 and 361 of the Constitution was in accordance with the law.

Citing a similar instance earlier in the state when governor Motilal Vora had dismissed the Mulayam Singh Yadav government, Bhandari said the decision was challenged in the Allahabad high court and subsequently appealed against in the Supreme Court. Since the matter was pending with the apex court, a similar action could not be termed as ''unconstitutional'' till the court verdict was given, he said.

In reply to a question, he said he was leaving the state as ''a satisfied man'', as whatever he had done was in the best interests of Uttar Pradesh.

Refusing to circulate the copy of his resignation letter to the press, he said, ''It would not be proper to make public a confidential letter''. Bhandari, however, said he had already informed Chief Minister Kalyan Singh about his decision on the telephone.

Bhandari said he would like to spend time with his family in Delhi and write a book, which he could not do till now due to paucity of time. ''The book would be very interesting,'' he remarked.

UNI

EARLIER INTERVIEW/REPORT:
The Rediff Interview/Romesh Bhandari
Bhandari may step down at 'appropriate time'

Tell us what you think of this report