CPI wants Bhandari to go

The Communist Party of India on Monday virtually asked for the dismissal of Uttar Pradesh Governor Romesh Bhandari for his recent statement contradicting Home Minister Indrajit Gupta.

''If a person is found delinquent on a number of occasions, the best course is to dispense with him," CPI MP Gurudas Dasgupta told the Rajya Sabha during a debate on the the deteriorating law and order in UP.

The state, Dasgupta said, had been pushed into an ''agonising ordeal,'' adding that ''it would be utter stupidity if anybody claims the situation is far better in Uttar Pradesh."

The CPI MP criticised Bhandari's conduct in rebutting the home minister who claimed in the Lok Sabha last fortnight that the state was heading towards anarchy. ''There has been a case of grave constitutional impropriety by a person occupying the highest position under President's rule,'' he said.

Dasgupta also called for the restoration of a popular government in the state. ''If 14 parties can form a government at the Centre, why can't the same effort be made in UP?''

The CPI member's demand for Bhandari's dismissal/recall found support from another member of the United Front -- Dr Y Lakshmi Prasad of the Telugu Desam Party. The TDP member said the situation in UP was deteriorating and criticised the governor's conduct.

Pranab Mukherjee (Congress) wondered how the Union Cabinet could dispense with its collective responsibility. He said at least two Union ministers -- a reference to Gupta and Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav -- were giving contradictory opinions on the situation in UP. ''You can't throw to the winds the collective responsibility of the government,'' he said.

Mukherjee was of the view that the office of the home minister could not be compromised with, whoever might be the incumbent.

Gupta is the first Communist to hold a Cabinet position at the Centre. He is also the first member of the Left to be India's home minister.