Wednesday, December 22 2004 22:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Congress today (Dec 22, 2004) ducked questions whether it favoured imposition of President's rule in Gujarat in the wake of Tehelka's videotaped sting operation in which a BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) MLA claims that the key witness in Best Bakery case Zaheera Sheikh was paid money to turn hostile.

The party said it was for the State Governor and the Supreme Court to take "due notice" of the development.

"Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has long forfeited moral right to remain in office. It is for the Governor to take due notice... for the Supreme Court to take a serious view as the matter is sub-judice," party spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters in reply to questions on the issue.

He said that the revelations "confirm what was alleged and suspected so far".

Noting that the incident has once again exposed BJP in Gujarat, the intent of its leadership and "its active involvement", Sharma alleged that the manner in which the BJP Government acted had shown that it was "eager to protect the guilty and punish victims".

Alleging that the previous Gujarat Governor had failed to perform his constitutional duties, he said the Governor should apprise the Centre and the President of India through Home Ministry and then "whatever action appropriate falls in the domain of Home Ministry".

Replying to a question, he said that mere prosecution of the concerned BJP MLA would not suffice.

"There cannot be greater shame. It is futile to expect clarification or statement from BJP leadership.... It had deliberately not performed its duty... Rajdharma when in office and had collectively eulogised and defended Modi," he said.