Instal popular govt in Karnataka: Advani

New Delhi, Oct 31: A high-level BJP delegation of Karnataka MPs led by Leader of Opposition L K Advani today cautioned Prime Minister Manmohan Singh against any attempt to dissolve the Karnataka Assembly bypassing the support enjoyed by the BJP-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition.

The delegation, consisting of BJP President Rajnath Singh, M Venkaiah Naidu and BJP Legislature Party Leader in Karnataka B S Yeddyurappa, informed the Prime Minister about the display of 129 MLAs much above the halfway strength in the 224-member Karnataka Assembly on October 29.

Despite the passage of four days after the BJP-J D (S) staked claim to form the Government, no action was taken by Karnataka Governor or the Central Government to revoke the Assembly from its present status of suspended animation, Mr Naidu told newspersons after a 15-minute-long meeting.

He said the statement of Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi that the Assembly should be dissolved only showed that the party had no respect and honour for democratic principles and values and such an action would be a clearly unconstitutional act. The delegation also reminded the PM that the Supreme Court in its Bihar Assembly dissolution case had clearly stated that the shifting stands of political parties cannot be a ground for dissolving the Assembly. The Court have even said that it could not be a silent spectator for the subversion of the Constutional provisions.

The Prime Minister, on his part, assured the delegation that the government would consider the demand going by the spirit of the Constitution.

Mr Naidu said the delay in revoking the suspended animation even after Karnataka Governor orally conceding that there were no doubts about Mr Yeddyurappa enjoying support of the majority in the Karnataka Assembly.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil was present along with the Prime Minister when the delegation met him.

The delegation also used the opportunity to draw the attention of Dr Singh towards the injustice caused to the rice growers who have been deprived of a fair support price for their produce.

Paddy was a crop grown in 11 states and they needed to be treated on par with the wheat growers. The PM said the two crops cannot be compared together because of the wastage component in the paddy.

However, he agreed that there can't be discrimination against the paddy growers.

UNI