NEW DELHI: Former Prime Minister VP, Singh has said that while there could be “no guarantees” for the success of the United Front Government, he was hopeful that the ministry would be able to chart its course through the troubled waters of the 11th Lok Sabha.

‘The leader admitted that the Third Front’s reentry into power at the Center was dogged by teething problems, “There are no guarantees, but several problems have already been resolved,” said Mr. Singh who has been in touch with the regional constituents of the UF.

Mr. Singh who is looked upon by the UF leadership as the key to putting together a credible coalition by last week when H.D. Deve Gowda is woman Prime Minister, pointed out that dialogue with regional leaders was continuing, “I don’t know why it (a representative government), will not happen,” he said.

Last week a breakfast meeting of UF leaders at the former Prime Minister’s residence could not ake place as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. Karunanidhi arrived in the Capital only by midmorning? Mr. Singh spoke to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (DMK) chief over the telephone while Assam chief minister Prafulla Mahanta called on the leader.

With the day’s developments steadily indicating that a formula for the inclusion of the DMK and the Tamil Maanila Congress was being worked out, the man who irrevocably, changed the face of the nation’s politics through Mandal was in an upbeat mood. In a spotless white kurta Mr. ‘Singh was preparing to board his custom-build bulletproof ambassador. On his way to the meeting of the UF leadership at Andhra Bhawan, the former Prime Minister had a few words to describe the fractured mandate of 1996. “It is a new experiment, ‘anew national experience. Let us see how it works out,” he said. The party in the best position to garner the cooperation and support of the new Lok Sabha had now been placed in saddle.

(On whether the federalism thrown up by the electorate would be a lasting feature, the leader paused for a moment before stating: “Yes, it has become the new reality.” Pointing out that it was necessary to live with the situation created by the failure of any group to corner a majority, he stressed that there was no need for pessimism.

Mr, V.P. Singh has particular reasons to be pleased with him as he has worked decisively over the past two weeks 10 stall Congress president PV. Narasimha Rao’s ambitions 10 make a comeback to power. The “father figure” of the Third Force had been fairly confident that the BJP”s political isolation would make it survive.

It was Mr. Rao’s maneuvering which appeared to be the larger threat beef Mr. Singh, in the first phase, even electoral trends from all over the nation were pouring in, Mr. Singh went on television to openly float Vice-president K.R. Narayanan’s candidature for the Prime Minister’s: post. The pronouncement drew criticism from within the JD, but in view of the NFLF setbacks in Bihar a West Bengal, Mr. Singh was aiming to scuttle Mr, Rao’s possible moves to cobble a Congress led coalition.

Article extracted from this publication >>  June 5, 1996