BJP favours Prez rule in UP for assembly polls

Hardwar, Nov 25: The BJP has advocated President's rule in Uttar Pradesh saying it is impossible to hold free and fair election under the present government in the state.

''BJP was in favour of imposing President's rule in the state, and if the Central Government brings a bill to this effect the party will support it,'' said party president Rajnath Singh.

''The conditions in U P have deteriorated very much and holding a fair and free state assembly election under the present government is not possible,'' the BJP president said.

Addressing a condolence meeting held to pay tributes to Sant Puran Dass of Jagan Nath Dham here yesterday, Mr Singh criticised the Central Government for allegedly pressing the policy of minorities appeasement.

''Reservation on the basis of religion was unconstitutional and the BJP would continue to oppose it,'' he said.

He accused the Congress of indulging in Muslim appeasement for political gains as the Muslim League did under Jinnah's leadership before Partition.

Expressing concern at the dismal scenario on internal security front, he said the UPA government abolished POTA enacted by the NDA government without bringing in any other law to replace it.

''At a time when many other countries are going in for stringent laws to deal with the menace of terrorism, the UPA Government going soft on it was a matter of shame and surprise,'' he said.

He also lambasted the Central Government for extending the hand of friendship towards Pakistan, despite the fact that the neighbouring country had a hand in terrorist activities in ''our country.'' The BJP leader also criticised the government for not raising the issue of border dispute and controversy created by China on Arunachal Pradesh with the Chinese President during his recent visit to our country.

UNI