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Bhandari asks Centre to issue directive under Article 355 to Bihar government

Bihar Governor Sunder Singh Bhandari has denied that he was determined to see the Rabri Devi government dismissed and said "there could be a way out if the Centre issues a direction and brings about an improvement in the governance of the state".

In an interview to a private television channel, Bhandari said it was not a question of being determined, "but I am worried over the situation and want that some steps be taken so that people can heave a sigh of relief".

The governor said he has asked the Centre to issue necessary directives to the Bihar government under Article 355 of the Constitution to improve governance of the state.

He said the President, while not disputing the facts mentioned in the governor's report, had only raised the issue of why directions were not issued to the state government under Article 355. He said the President had also queried how Article 356 could be invoked without giving the state government a chance to improve its performance.

"If the Centre takes the initiative, I will fully cooperate but we cannot help if the state government does not rectify itself," he added.

Denying any personal interest in the dismissal of the Bihar government, Bhandari said it all depended on the Centre. ''I have only done my duty to inform the President.''

The governor disclosed that Inter-Services Intelligence activities were on the rise on the Bihar-Nepal border and such elements were enjoying the protection of ruling party leaders and local people. While he had a cassette about their activities, this has also been described in detail in intelligence reports too.

Asked why Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Laloo Prasad Yadav was dead against him, Bhandari said, ''Only Lalooji can answer this as probably he does not like my presence. I believe they wanted a pliable governor. I had raised objections to many of their decisions and appointed chancellors and vice-chancellors of my choice, which they didn't like.''

He said constitutionally, the chief minister has to apprise the governor about matters of state and in the early stages he had expected some initiative from Rabri Devi. ''Later I came to know that though she was the chief minister, for all practical purposes the former chief minister was running the government.''

The governor said he had recently sought information about those persons whose names have been recommended as members of state public service commission. He said he would decide after getting the requisite information.

On the VIP security bill, Bhandari said this was passed by the assembly without any discussion. "This bill was meant to provide protection to only one person (Laloo Prasad Yadav) and since protection was to be provided all over the country, I forwarded this bill to the Union home minister," he added.

On his pro-RSS image, the governor said, '' Meri mansikta sangh ki hai, aur isiliye main udarvadi hokar paristhiti ka sahi aaklan karne ke liye tayar hoon '' (yes, my mentality belongs to the RSS and that is why I am ready to assess the real situation but liberally).

On the question of lower crime statistics in Bihar compared to other states, Bhandari said there was much fear following which less than half the number of abductions, kidnappings, rape and murder are reported.

UNI

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