Lucknow: A day after BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) general secretary Rajnath singh said the party would support removal of the Mulayam Singh Government in Uttar Pradesh in the wake of deteriorating law and order situation, senior party leader Murli Manohar Joshi today (July 25, 2004) said it was the "last weapon."

"Imposition of President's rule is the last weapon which could be used in case of constitutional breakdown but several other options are still there which could be used to improve the situation," Joshi told reporters in Lucknow.

The law and order situation in the State was "very bad" and people were faced with serious problems like power and water crisis, Joshi said.

The Centre should intervene but refused to demand use of Article 356 in the State.

To a query as to what steps should be taken by the Union Government, Joshi said it is for the centre to decide as to what measures needed to be taken but BJP would oppose any unconstitutional step.

When his attention was drawn on the state BJP president, Kesari nath Tripathi's views that the state should be freed from the misrule of the Mulayam Singh Yadav Government, Joshi said the central leadership was keeping an eye on the developments and the views of the state unit would be given due importance.

To a question whether the BJP would be raising the issue of tainted ministers in Uttar Pradesh also, Joshi evaded a direct reply saying tainted people should not be occupying constitutional positions anywhere.

On the Union Budget, he said it was' misleading' and inflationary and aimed at befooling the public.