'Prez rule' to reduce Oppn strength before Prez election: Jaya

Chennai, Feb 19 (UNI) Alleging the hatching of a ''diabolic conspiracy'' behind the move of the Congress-led UPA Government to impose President's rule in Uttar Pradesh, AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa said it was to keep away that state from participating in the Presidential election, which was due in a few months.

In a statement here tonight, Ms Jayalalithaa alleged that the Congress wanted to have its own candidate to win the Presidential race and therefor, it was trying to ''reduce'' the strength of the Opposition parties in the electoral college for the Presidential election.

Stating that the move to invoke Article 356 of the Constitution (imposition of President's Rule) was aimed at preventing the legislators of that state, who constitute a big chunk of the electoral college, from participating in the Presidential election, she said this was to facilitate voctory of a possible Congress nominee who would be an ''obedient stooge'' to the party.

Ms Jayalaithaa alleged that the ''conspiracy'' to dismiss the Mulayam Singh Government was to make sure that Uttar Pradesh remained under President's rule until the Presidential election was over, thus clearing the way for a Congress nominee.

The move is also aimed at jeopardising the possibility of a consensus candidate of the Opposition parties which might make ''the going tough'' for Congress, she added.

UNI