Meghalaya condemns President's Rule in Nagaland

Shillong, 5 (UNI) Political parties in Meghalaya today condemned the Centre's decision of imposing President's Rule in Nagaland and termed it as 'undemocratic and unconstitutional'.

Former Lok Sabha Speaker and NCP leader Purno Sangma was most vociferous against the Congress-led UPA government's decision, saying that the Centre was trying to ''destabilise the region with such arbitrary undemocratic decisions.'' Mr Sangma alleged that the Congress was also looking into ways to rig the Assembly polls slated early this year.

The UPA government, however, justified its decision by rubbishing the NCP leader's allegation.

Similarly, the state BJP condemned the UPA government's decision with its president AL Hek warning that the ''undemocratic decision of Congress'' would have a negative bearing on the party poll prospect in the upcoming Assembly elections in Nagaland.

''The decision will boomerang on the Congress' poll prospect in Nagaland'', Mr Hek told UNI.

The regional United Democratic Party (UDP) spokesperson Bindo Lanong also called the Centre's decision as a ''desperate move of the Congress'' following poll debacle in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

The Centre imposed Presidents' Rule dismissing the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government on Thursday last. However, the government claimed that it had won a no-confidence motion in the Assembly on December 13 last and therefore had the right to continue in power.

DAN is contemplating seeking legal recourse against the Centre's decision.

UNI RRK PP KLC/src1445