Monday, February 20 2006 14:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: A strong demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the wake of the Supreme Court judgement in the Bihar assembly dissolution case was made by BJP-led NDA members in the Lok Sabha today (Feb20,2006).

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, they said making former Bihar Governor Buta Singh a 'scapegoat' would not do as the Centre was equally responsible for dissolution of the assembly.

The Prime Minister cannot escape the collective responsibility of the Cabinet and should tender his resignation for undermining democracy was the refrain of JD(U) member Prabhunath Singh, who raised the issue along with others from the Opposition, including BJP's V K Malhotra.

Prabhunath Singh's contention was that one of the Supreme Court judges had held the Centre responsible for the way it turned the office of Governor into a 'laughing stock'.

The Opposition members were critical of the way the Government got the Presidential assent when the President was on a tour abroad.

The JD(U) leader said Buta Singh had also made certain claims which showed the Cabinet, which took the decision to dissolve the assembly at midnight, in poor light.

Ramjilal Suman of the Samajwadi Party regretted the way the Governors were being "misused" by the Centre.

As Prime Minister was not present in the House, some of the Opposition members demanded that he should either cometo the House or tender his resignation.