SRINAGAR: The decision to extend President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir beyond July 18 has created serious doubts about the continuation of Gen K.V. Krishna Rao as the State Governor.
Sources close to the Governor suggest that he might be seriously thinking of putting in his papers since the decision virtually overrules his repeated assertion that the conditions ‘were conducive to holding polls in the San Rao has reportedly sent a missive to Prime Minister P.V,. Narasimha Rao in which he has strongly opposed the continuation of President’s rule in the State and the postponement of elections. But asked whether the Govemor’s decision to step down would promptly follow the promulgation of the Presidential order, expected to be issued any time now, the ‘sources said he might defer his decision since he does not like to oblige those who want him out of the State.
Apparently, most of the politicians who met Chief Election Commissioner T.N. Seshan during his recent visit to the Valley have been pleading for the Governor’s replacement.
It might be recalled that an unpleasant situation had developed during the CEC’s meeting with the State politicians. As is now well known, one senior politician had drawn Seshan’s attention to a recording device that was left on while the meeting was in progress. ‘Surprised to see that a tape recorder’ ‘was present inside the room where the meeting was being held. Seshan sent for the State’s Director (Information) who explained that the device was sent in by the Superintendent of Police, in charge of security. Seshan reportedly removed the tape from the recorder and after took up the issue with the Union Home Ministry. It has been repealed by officials in the Civil Secretariat that the CEC is keeping a close which on what action the State takes against the police officer who is now pleading innocence over the whole issue. Meanwhile, even as the Raj Bhawan sources continue to maintain that there is no reason for Gen Rao to step down from the State’s Governorship, political analysts here have been saying that his continuation might have no moral basis because the decision to extend President’s rule definitely ‘means that his recommendations were overlooked by the Center. But whether Gen Rao steps down or not, things may not go smoothly for him in the ‘coming days. While he has firmly put his footman one present Government employees” agitation by refusing pay their wanes for thelaysal strike, invoking the principle of “no work, no pay,” rumors are already ripe that the situation might now get defused by a gubernatorial chance being contemplated by New Delhi.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 9, 1995
