Thursday, January 26 2006 19:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Emboldened by the resignation of Bihar Governor Buta Singh, Janata Dal- (JD) United (U), which heads the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government in the state, today (Jan 26,2006) demanded resignation of the Manmohan Singh Government on moral grounds for recommending the dissolution of the previous House.

"Singh should have resigned immediately after the SupremeCourt order. The delay in stepping down is unpleasant and undesirable," JD(U) Parliamentary Board Chairman Sharad Yadav told sources.

He said that since the Union Cabinet acted on the basis of 'misleading' report of the Governor in recommending the dissolution, the Manmohan Singh Government could not escape the blame and 'must resign on moral grounds'.

Yadav said instead of convening a meeting of the Cabinet hurriedly at the dead of night, the Prime Minister should have verified the facts.

Rubbishing the Governor's claim that he had made the recommendation only on the basis of 'strong proof' of horsetrading, the JD(U) leader said, "We were in majority and there was no need for horsetrading".

On the Governor's remark that there was no claim from the NDA to form the government, Yadav said before dissolution was recommended, the JD(U)-led coaliton should have been heard.

NDA leaders had yesterday petitioned President A P J Abdul Kalam to secure the Prime Minister's resignation and dismiss the Governor.