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Bihar situation is a threat to democracy: Sangma

Senior Congress leader and former Lok Sabha speaker Purno A Sangma has said that the Congress would not allow fundamentalists to take over Bihar.

''Had we been politically strong in the state we would have by now struck a positive change,'' he told the media in Ranchi.

Stating that his party would not remain a mute spectator and allow the people of the state to suffer, he said, ''We are watching the performance of the Rabri Devi government and not supporting it as being alleged.''

Describing the prevailing situation in Bihar as a threat to democracy, he called upon the intelligentsia to mobilise the people for a change. ''People who understand the real meaning of morality must come forward to save Bihar,'' he added.

Defending his party's stand on Bihar, Sangma said there was no constitutional justification in imposing President's rule in the state and that Article 356 should be sparingly used.

''I am of the firm belief that Article 356 must be used only in the case of complete constitutional breakdown or financial emergency in any state,'' he said. ''In Bihar, no such situation prevailed. Hence, we opposed it.''

When asked about the performance of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, he said, ''Its days are numbered.''

The Congress will not initiate the fall of the government but if it falls on its own, the party will not shirk its responsibility to form a government 'as a temporary measure', he added.

Sangma flatly denied that the Congress was wooing members of Parliament to change sides. The Congress has no intention of forming a coalition as 'we firmly believe that a coalition is not a viable proposition'.

UNI

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