Tuesday, February 8 2005 16:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Bringing the dismissal of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) Government in Goa to the forefront of its campaign against UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government, Opposition NDA (National Democratic Alliance) today (Feb 8, 2005) hit the streets accusing the Centre of "orchestrating" the ouster and indicated that it will stall proceedings in the coming Budget session of Parliament on the issue.

Kick-starting its nation-wide agitation against the dismissal of the Manohar Parrikar Government, NDA staged a daylong sit-in New Delhi demanding its reinstatement and recall of Governor S C Jamir.

Lashing out at the Congress, BJP President L K Advani said, "The question is not about the dismissal of Goa Government. It is about the Congress' attitude towards democracy."

"Whenever Congress feels that it is losing its primacy, it tramples democracy and Congress never believes in democracy and this agitation is to save the power of democracy," he alleged.

Asserting that the Governor has set a "dangerous precedent", Advani said, "Our constitutional fathers have never imagined that Article 164, which says a particular State Government can remain in power only when the Governor has full pleasure in it, would be used in this manner."

He claimed the direction to dismiss the Government was given in advance, even before the trial of strength in the floor of the House.

Addressing the gathering, BJP general secretary Sushma Swaraj said normal functioning of Parliament during the budget session would not be possible in the given situation.