NEW DELHI - President Shankar Dayal Sharma of India yesterday sounded the death knell for, the government of Mr H.D. Deve Gowda, giving the Prime Minister one week to show his shaky alliance can still command a majority in parliament despite its betrayal by a main supporter.
The President's verdict delivered in a one line communique was aimed at containing a political free for all which is bound to follow the Congress party's withdrawal of its support for the 13 party coalition government on Sunday. The Congress was not in the alliance though its support was vital for Mr Gowda's survival.