Saturday, March 19 2005 14:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Accusing Congress for the recent developments in Goa, Opposition Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) today (Mar 19, 2005) demanded in Rajya Sabha that the Assembly, kept under suspended animation, be dissolved immediately to pave way for fresh polls in the State placed under President's Rule.

"We demand immediate dissolution of the House and holding of fresh Assembly polls," senior BJP member Pramod Mahajan said participating in a discussion on the statutory resolution imposition of President's Rule in Goa.

Supporting the Central rule in the State "because of extra-ordinary circumstances", he also demanded a national debate on the appointment of Governors and strengthening of anti-defection law.

Lauding Home Minister Shivraj Patil for the imposition of President's Rule, Mahajan hoped he would not buckle under political pressure and revive the State Assembly.

Recalling the recent political developments in the State, he accused the Congress of luring MLAs to its side with the promise of making them Ministers and questioned as to why one fine day two Independents suddenly withdrew support from the Manohar Parrikar Government and four BJP members resigned.

He said what was more surprising was the fact that those who had resigned from the Parrikar Government were made Ministers in the Pratapsinh Rane Ministry, hinting that they had been lured to switch loyalties and had not done so on their own.

Mahajan also pointed out that while the Parrikar Government was given only twenty-three and a half hours to prove its majority, the Rane Ministry was allowed 30 days. "Please stop Goa pattern of defection," he demanded.