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Vajpayee government won't quit, says BJP

The Bharatiya Janata Party today ruled out the possibility of the Vajpayee government resigning if the resolution to ratify President's rule in Bihar was defeated in either of the houses of Parliament.

"We are confident that the resolution would be through in the Lok Sabha. But we are not sure about the Rajya Sabha," said party Vice-President K L Sharma.

Asked if the government would resign on moral grounds if the resolution fell through, Sharma said governments run as per the Constitution and there was no question of resignation.

He said that all the allies, including the Telugu Desam, would support the ratification of President's rule. However he admitted that the TDP had not made its mind clear on the issue. The TDP has conveyed that there was still time since voting would take place on February 26.

Sharma said the Congress today stood exposed by its stand on the Bihar issue, having proved itself anti-dalit.

Accusing the Congress of somersaulting from its earlier view that Bihar government had no moral right to stay in power, the BJP leader said the Congress was trying to destablise the government to grab power at the Centre. It had set aside all its values and morality and was ready to shake hands with Laloo Prasad Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav, who had been its harshest critics.

"We are happy the Congress had shown its true colours so soon," he said, adding that in fact the Congress did not want to lose any chance to create an atmosphere of instability.

Sharma said the Congress had sealed its fate in both Uttar Pradesh and Bihar by deciding to oppose the ratification of the President's rule in Bihar.

On the other hand, the BJP-led coalition government, which had decided to discuss and put the resolution to vote in both houses, would definitely win the confidence of the people, particularly the dalits, he said.

EARLIER REPORTS:
Vajpayee faced with Hobson's choice on Bihar
Sonia-Laloo deal may see RJD in, Rabri out
BJP refuses to concede defeat

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