UPA-1 Govt pressurised me to influence judiciary over Prez rule in Bihar: HR Bhardwaj

India

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New Delhi, Jan 15: Making a shocking revelation former union law minister and senior Congress leader Hansraj Bhardwaj on Friday alleged that Manmohan Singh-led UPA-1 Government had asked him to influence the judiciary while he was in office.

As per Bhardwaj his cabinet colleagues, especially former HRD minister Arjun Singh, asked him to get a favourable judgement from the Supreme Court on the issue of President's rule in Bihar in 2005.

Bhardwaj was quoted by ANI as saying, "There was no pressure. When the comments came from the court, it appeared that the proclamation might be quashed. So, my colleague asked me that why can't you do something so that we win this case. I said that the court has to decide this. Ultimately, the decision went against the government, then President's Rule could not be imposed and re-elections were held."

"Those who want that a particular decision should come from the court, then it is wrong....It was Arjun Singh's group, everyone knows it. I met him in the Central Hall of Parliament, and he said that this case is not proceeding along expected lines. He said that I might lose my job if I do not set it right. I replied who are you to decide about my job," he added.

It must be recalled that the Supreme Court bench comprising of five judges, with a 3-2 majority, had quashed President's rule imposed in Bihar in 2005 by UPA-I government.

Following SC ruling, the NDA (BJP-JDU combine) was invited by Bihar Governor to form government in the state.

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