Chidambaram rules out President's rule in WB

New Delhi, Nov 30: Dampening Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief Mamata Banerjee's appeal for President's Rule in West Bengal, home minister P Chidambaram has ruled out imposition of Article 356 on the state on Monday, Nov 30.

Clearing up the speculation surrounding the central teams' proposed visit to West Bengal, Chidambaram said that the team's visit should not be mistaken for the decision to impose President's rule.

"There is no scope for invoking Article 356. The central teams' proposed visit to West Bengal should not be viewed through the prism of Article 356. It is to assist the state government," he said.

Stating that decision was taken after briefing West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Chidambaram said that the visit would help in putting an end to the political clashes that has been going on in WB since Jun 18.

However, the move by the central government has drawn criticism from the Communist Party of India (CPI), which has subtly indicated that the decision was taken to please Mamata Banerjee.

" If the central government feels there is a breakdown in West Bengal, let them promulgate Article 356. We shall face it in the streets," Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Gurudas Dasgupta, adding that the center has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of the state.

BJP LK Advani has also cautioned the center from imposing Article 356, calling it to be a serious matter.

OneIndia News