Rediff Logo Star News banner Citibank banner Find/Feedback/Site
Index  March 15, 1998  Citibank Banner  'The Congress not
staking a claim made it clear that a viable alternative to a
BJP-led government would not be obtainable now'  The text of the
press communique issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan tonight:  In the
identification and appointment of a prime minister, the
President exercises full discretion. He does, however, have
before him the well-established norm that the person selected to
be prime minister should be able to secure the confidence of the
House.   The President's choice of a prime minister is pivoted
on the would-be prime minister's claims of commanding majority
support.  The President has noted the following in regard to the
12th Lok Sabha:  One, no party or pre-election alliance of
parties has won the number of seats required to give it a clear
majority in the House:  Two, the Bharatiya Janata Party has
emerged as the single largest party, though short of a majority
Three, the BJP-led pre-elect