Jaiswal's remark on Prez rule in UP evokes sharp response from BJP

New Delhi/ Charkhari, Feb 23 (ANI): Congress leader Sriprakash Jaiswal's statement suggesting president's rule in Uttar Pradesh has evoked a sharp response from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Criticizing Jaiswal's statement, BJP leader Kalraj Mishra said: "Constant comments are coming on behalf of Congress that it would go for presidential rule in UP. They are just making controversial statements to violate the Model Code of Conduct."

"The people have sidelined them (Congress) now. The Congress will be totally depressed by the results. The BJP would be the single largest party in the state," he added.

BJP leader Uma Bharti said: "I condemn the statement made by Congress that it is going for president's rule in UP. Such statements are undemocratic and not an announcement, but a threat."

"I appeal to the people not to vote for the Congress, as the party does not understand the importance of their votes," Bharti told media in Charkhari.

Earlier, Jaiswal had said that if his party fails to get a majority in the Uttar Pradesh assembly polls, it would seek imposition of president's rule in the state.

"If Congress gets a majority, then it will form the government...if some seats are short then there is no option other than president's rule," Jaiswal told media in Kanpur.

Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh had also said there is a possibility of president's rule being imposed in Uttar Pradesh if his party failed to come to power.

"If we are not able to come in majority, then there will be president's rule in the state," Singh had said.

The Uttar Pradesh polls are being viewed as an opportunity for major political parties to re-establish their foothold in the country's fifth largest and most populous state. new 403-member state assembly will be elected in March. The poll results will broadly indicate trends for the 2014 general elections. (ANI)