Gujarat assembly dissolved
Gujarat Governor Krishanpal Singh yesterday dissolved the state assembly, rejecting the Bharatiya Janata Party's claim that the party was in a position to form the government.
The governor arrived at the decision in the 'larger interest' of the state, following the advice given by President K R Narayanan, sources said. Even constitutional and legal experts had reportedly asked the governor to dissolve the house as per Chief Minister Dilip Parikh's recommendation.
The governor asked Dilip Parikh to continue as caretaker chief minister till the assembly elections are held.
Sources said the governor's decision caught both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress unawares. While the BJP wanted to form a government, the Congress was reportedly against Parikh continuing as the caretaker chief minister. The party had demanded President's in the state. So did the BJP today.
Hours before the dissolution of the house at 2100 hours yesterday, Parikh dropped Revenue Minister Atmaram Patel and six others from the Rashtriya Janata Party ministry.
Earlier, Patel split the RJP and claimed that the cabinet never passed a resolution, seeking the dissolution of the house. Asked if he had attended Wednesday's cabinet meeting, when a resolution seeking the dissolution of the house was passed, Patel replied in the negative.
EARLIER REPORT:
BJP stakes claim in Gujarat
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