Congress on defensive over 'President Rule' Remark

Congress defended over its president rule remark in Uttar Pradesh that had created a political storm and drawn a sharp response from the main opposition BJP.

Congress was highly criticised hours after senior Congress leader Sriprakash Jaiswal said that if party fails to get majority in Uttar Pradesh assembly polls it will seek imposition of President's rule in the state.
 

"Those who lack confidence are looking for alliance ....Congress will not forge any alliance. If Congress gets majority then it will form the government...if some seats are short then there is no option other than President's rule", Jaiswal said.

He said that the results of the polls would be shocking and Congress would get majority. However, his statement drew a sharp response from the BJP, which termed it as an indicator of the feudal mindset of the Congress.

Senior BJP leader Uma Bharati, who is contesting the polls from Charkhari constituency, appealed the voters not to exercise their votes in favour of the Congress as the party did not understand the importance of the polling. She said that the statement was undemocratic and a threat to the state.

However, Jaiswal clarified soon after his statement saying that he was misquoted. He denied that he gave any threat as he is confident upon the results that the Congress is going to win the polls in the state. "My statement was twisted", the Union Coal Minister said.

"I was only explaining the constitutional reality, in case the Congress fails to get a majority as we are surely going to be the single largest party", he added.