Emboldened by Bihar Governor Buta Singh's resignation, the National Democratic Alliance on Thursday stepped up pressure on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to quit in view of the Supreme Court's observations on assembly dissolution even as the United Progressive Alliance sought to downplay it by saying that Buta had followed 'democratic traditions'.
Left parties, extending outside support to the UPA government at the Centre, termed Buta Singh's decision as a right step as his continuation in office had become untenable after his indictment by the Supreme Court.
Janata Dal (United), which heads the NDA government in Bihar, sought the central government's resignation on moral grounds for recommending the dissolution of the previous House.
"Since the Union Cabinet acted on the basis of the 'misleading' report of the Governor in recommending the dissolution, the Manmohan Singh government cannot escape the blame and must resign on moral grounds," senior JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said.
Observing that Buta had been made a 'scapegoat,' senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader V K Malhotra demanded Dr Singh's resignation saying, "Even the Supreme Court held the Council of Ministers responsible for not verifying the reports of the Governor."
The Communist Party of India agreed with the NDA that Buta should have resigned gracefully immediately after the apex court's judgment.
Seeking to downplay the development, Congress Spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "It is a matter of congratulations, support and good governance that within 48 hours of a 475-page Supreme Court judgment, democratic traditions and conventions had been followed and implemented in letter and spirit."
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