Leaders of the National Democratic Alliance led by its convenor George Fernandes and leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha Lal Kishenchand Advani called on President A P J Abdul Kalam for the removal of Bihar Governor Buta Singh immediately and also to seek Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's resignation for misleading the President into signing an unconstitutional document.
Besides these two, others who formed the part of the NDA delegation included leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha Jaswant Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Vijay Kumar Malhotra, Rajnath Singh, president of Bhartiya Janata Party, S S Ahluwalia from BJP, Digvijay Singh from the United Janata Dal, Onkar Singh Thapar from Shiromani Akali Dal and members of Shiv Sena and Biju Janata Dal.
"The declaration by the apex court that the decision to dissolve the Bihar Vidhan Sabha was unconstitutional, arbitrary and malafide, which resulted in the forcing of an election in the state of Bihar; has long term implications for constitutional propriety, political morality and democratic accountability. In the circumstances we respectfully urge upon you to seek the resignation of Dr Singh and dismiss Bihar Governor Buta Singh," Advani told newsmen after the meeting.
"Dr Singh too was an active party to such a motivated exercise to invoke Article 356 and dissolve Bihar Vidhan Sabha that prevented Nitish Kumar from becoming the chief minister. In fact on May 24, 2005, on the morning of the Cabinet decision, Dr Singh told the press at Ranthambhore that "an atmosphere of horsetrading of the worst kind prevailed. We had considerable information to substantiate the governor's recommendation. This was widely reported in the media both print and electronic. Therefore the Prime Minister not only becomes an active participant into misleading Your Excellency but also the entire nation as well," the delegation pointed out in the memorandum.
Advani requested the President to inquire whether Buta Singh had given his recommendation on the so called horsetrading on his own or whether he had got a directive from somone else. "Is it his brainwave or someone directed him to do so?" Advani asked.
He said that the President of India heard them patiently and promised to do whatever he can.