Rajya Sabha din over governor role

The Modi government came under severe attack over the role of governors in the dismissal of Congress dispensations in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

In a massive face-off, the Opposition Congress alleged “trampling” of democracy by Modi government as it came under sharp attack for imposing President’s Rule, which was quashed by the court.

However, the government hit back at the Congress and reminded it that the party had “butchered” democracy in the country by misusing Article 356 about 100 times. The Congress pressed for a statement and apology by PM Narendra Modi on the issue, since he talks of “cooperative federalism”.

There were repeated clashes between the treasury and Opposition benches as the House took up a discussion on developments in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh.

Initiating the debate on the issue, deputy leader of the Congress Anand Sharma alleged that “What happened in the two states was a brazen violation of the Constitution and an insult to democracy. It shocked the country and invited censure of the Supreme Court and high court of Uttarakhand,” he said. Mr Sharma also questioned the role of governors, and said he or she is “not supposed to interfere in the day-to-day functioning. Take unilateral decisions... Constitution was not respected... It is insult to people’s mandate.”

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks of constitutional federalism... At the same time the ruling party president talks of Congress-mukt Bharat... That is the official position of the ruling party and its national executive... This is an insult to democracy and misuse of authority to destabilise elected governments,” Mr Sharma charged.

The reply by minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju — speaking on behalf of home minister Rajnath Singh — was disrupted by the Congress which said it cannot allow him to speak as he was allegedly involved in the toppling of Arunachal Pradesh government.

Amid the din created by the Congress, Mr Rijiju said the protest was “unfortunate” and “exposes the hollowness of the basis on which the Congress party has tried to make this as an issue”.