MP CM to go on fast tomorrow, JDU terms it unconstitutional

Bhopal, Feb 12 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh Chief MinisterShivraj Singh Chouhan will begin his indefinite fast tomorrowto highlight several demands made by the state which arepending with the union government even as Janata Dal(United)claimed the fast by the Chief Minister would beunconstitutional.

The Chief Minister Chouhan would begin his indefinitefast from 12 noon tomorrow along with a large number of partyworkers, the State BJP''s media in-charge, Dr Hitesh Vajpayeetold reporters.

Chouhan is compelled to observe an indefinite fastagainst the Centre as issues like providing relief to thefrost-hit farmers, inadequate coal supply and poor state ofnational highways among others have been ignored, he said.

The Chief Minister has also written a letter to thePrime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking his intervention to sortout issues concerning the state.

Meanwhile, the State Janata Dal (United) today said thatChouhan''s decision to go on fast is ''unconstitutional''.

"Chouhan''s fast will trigger off a constitutional crisis,"Madhya Pradesh JD (United) Govind Yadav said in statement.

He argued that it was mandatory for the Chief Ministerto take the Governor''s consent before going on the fast.

"If the Chief Minister was facing any problem while doingpublic good, he should inform the Governor according to theConstitution," he said.

Quoting provision in the constitution, he said that "allexecutive actions of the government of the state shall beexpressed to be taken in the name of Governor. It is the dutyof the Chief Minister of each State to communicate to theGovernor all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating tothe administration of the State".

The Governor should immediately intervene in thematter, the JD (U) statement said.