Centre weighing options in UP, seeking legal opinion

New Delhi, Feb 21 (UNI) The Centre is weighing various options it has regarding imposition of President's rule in Uttar Pradesh, after the Election Commission today announced a seven-phase poll beginning April 7, and their implications.

Though legal experts have opined that the government could still impose the President's rule as poll notification has not yet been issued by the Commission only poll schedule has been announced, the Government is still considering issues like opposition of left parties, reported reluctance on the part of President and ongoing Parliament session before taking a final decision.

Moreover, the political implication of the decision of dismissing the Mulayam Singh Government on the coming assembly polls is also being deliberated.

The Home Ministry has already consulted senior legal experts who have opined that since the announcement of seven- phase poll schedule only meant that the moral code of conduct has come into force from today. However, the decision regarding the President's rule could be taken till the time notification is issued which is generally about four weeks before the actual date of polls.

In Uttar Pradesh the seven- phase assembly polls will begin on April 7 for which notification would be issued on March 13 while the last phase would happen on May 8 for which notification would be issued on April 13. The counting of votes would take place on May 11 and the election process would be completed by May 13.

The Home Ministry has already prepared a report regarding various pros and cons of imposition of President's rule in the state but the decision has to be taken at the political level, ministry sources said.

The Congress is pressing for the imposition of President's rule and Governor T V Rajeswar has also given a report favouring it. The BJP, RJD, LJP and NCP are favouring the imposition of President's rule while the Left Parties, both CPI(M) and CPI are staunchly opposing it.

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