CPM seeks Raje quit over police brutalities in Gujjar stir

New Delhi, May 30 (UNI) The CPI(M) today demanded resignation of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje for police "brutalities" which it said has so far claimed 80 lives in the ongoing Gujjar agitation.

The party, however, did not want dismissal of her government under Article 356 of the Constitution in spite of large-scale violence unlike the BJP which had sought imposition of the President's Rule in West Bengal in the wake of violence in Nandigram.

"She should own moral responsibilty and if the BJP has any moral or ethical standards it should ask her to step down without further delay," party General Secretary Prakash Karat said at the conclusion of the two-day meeting of the Central Committee.

If the Chief Minister did not step the CPI(M) will launch a nationwide campaign to mount pressure on her to quit, he said.

" She is behaving like a divine ....like a feudal ruler and has deployed Army to suppress the agitation instead of finding a political solution to the complex problem," he said.

Gujjars have been demanding ST status.

The CPI(M) scoffed at the BJP's handling of the situation, saying "here is a party which is dreaming of ruling the Centre".

UNI KSA-SAA RP HT1730