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CPI criticises Sorabjee's remarks on President's role

The Communist Party of India today criticised Attorney General Soli Sorabjee for his reported statement that the President could impose central rule in any state ''on his own judgement ''

The CPI central secretariat, in a statement, said if the President was allowed to function in the manner as being suggested by Sorabjee, the fundamentals of the country's parliamentary democracy and the federal structure would be subverted by the government at the Centre.

The other ''shocking suggestion" made by Sorabjee was relating to Article 356 of the Constitution under which "a state government could be dismissed on the recommendation of the concerned governor,'' the CPI added.

His statement might be intended to pave the way for the Bharatiya Janata Party which was committed to review the Constitution for introducing the Presidential form of government in preference to the present set-up. Sorabjee's comments lack propriety since, as the attorney general, he would be required to advise the President on the constitutional provisions and interpret these correctly, the CPI said.

UNI

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