Click to play videoNew Delhi: Congress leader Sriprakash Jaiswal has been pulled up by the party for his remarks that if his party fails to get a majority in the UP polls, it will seek imposition of President's rule in the state. Sources said on Thursday that the party thinks that Jaiswal should not have made these comments.
Jaiswal on Wednesday said, "If Congress gets majority then it will form the government...if some seats are short then there is no option other than President's rule." Jaiswal said that results of UP polls would be "shocking" and Congress would get majority.
Defending his statement, Jaiswal on Thursday said that he was explaining the Constitutional reality.
"I said this when I was asked that what will happen if no one gets a clear majority. I was explaining constitutional reality. My statement has been distorted. Truth is that we will get clear majority a I merely repeated this. All I said was that if numbers fall as single largest party we will be called to form the government, he said.
He also denied that the Congress need the Samajwadi Party support to form the government in UP. "What will I threaten for. Why should a leader of a party that is heading to win the elections or towards becoming the single largest party be giving such statements. I was only explaining the constitutional process. I am not saying anything under pressure," he said.
His statement evoked sharp response from the BJP which termed it as an indicator of the "feudal mindset" of the Congress.
"On the threat that they would impose President's rule, I appeal to the electorate not to poll in favour of Congress as the party is not understanding the importance of their votes," senior BJP leader Uma Bharati said in Charkhari, from where she is contesting.
She said such a statement was "undemocratic and was not an announcement, but a threat.
"It is indicative of feudal mindset. Congress does not believe in democracy that is why they are saying this," she alleged.
(With additional inputs from PTI)
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