New Delhi: Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram, on Monday, slammed Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra for delaying to call an Assembly Session to enable the Congress-led state government to prove its majority. However, he expressed his hope that the President of India will intervene into the matter.
"Governor's appointed by BJP since 2014 have repeatedly violated the letter and spirit of the Constitution of India. In the process, they have gravely impaired parliamentary democracy, it's conventions and traditions," alleged Chidambaram, during a press conference.
Calling the Governor "only a formal instrument" to sign and issue summons to MLAs, Chidambaram stated that the Chief Minister has absolute right and authority to call an Assembly Session.
"If a CM who is accused of not enjoying a majority wants to prove his majority he is entitled to call a session at the earliest. No one can stand in his way. Placing obstacles undermine the fundamental basis of parliamentary democracy," he said.
Chidambaram further added, "I sincerely hope that President will take a note of what is happening, about the erosion of parliamentary democracy and violation of the Constitution. I still believe that he'll intervene and instruct the Governor to convene an Assembly session."
He also cited three landmark judgements of the Courts regarding the matters pertaining to the violation of Constitution for Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand in 2016 and for Karnataka in 2019.
"Despite these judgements and the statements of law, the Governor of Rajasthan has stalled, and continues to stall, a perfectly valid request of the Council of Ministers of Rajasthan to convene a session of the Legislative Assembly," he said.
The Congress leader further explained, "It is settled law that the Governor shall act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. The Governor has no discretion in the matter. The questions raised by him were irrelevant and beyond his authority."
When asked about Sachin Pilot's return to the party, Chidambaram alleged, "In my view, he is entirely in the grace of BJP. He should be the first one stand up to call an Assembly session. He maintains that he belongs to Congress and Mr Gehlot has lost majority. Then he should have joined Congress' view to call a session. Why is he silent now?"
Congress party is also conducting a nationwide demonstration before all Raj Bhavans to highlight the gravity og the issue.
The seasoned politician also welcomed Rafael fighter jets coming to India. However, he mentioned that those were chosen by the UPA Government and Congress has no opposition to the aircraft but only the way the contract was carried out.
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