Patil meets Kalam, PM, Sonia amid speculation of Central rule in UP

New Delhi, Feb 22 (UNI) Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today met President A P J Abdul Kalam, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi amid speculation about the possibility of imposition of President's rule in Uttar Pradesh.

The Union Cabinet also met this morning to discuss various issues, including the situation in Uttar Pradesh and the coming assembly elections in the state.

The Home Minister met the President this morning after the Election Commission last evening announced the date for seven- phase assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh, beginning from April 7.

He also met the Prime Minister and Ms Gandhi and has reported to have discussed the options available with the government regarding the imposition of President's rule.

Though Constitutional experts have opined that the Centre could still legally impose President's rule despite the announcement of poll schedule as the notification was yet to be issued, the government is assessing the various options available before it.

The Congress has meanwhile, demanded that the Centre impose President's rule even now. The centre has not yet clarified its stand as the Parliament session begins tomorrow and any such decision may come under attack from both Left Parties and the Samajwadi Party.

The President is also likely to be reluctant after his Bihar experience when the imposition of President's rule was criticised by the Supreme Court.

However, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has attacked the Congress for still trying to impose President's rule despite the election schedule being announced.

UNI