NEW DELHI: Congress dissident leaders Makhan Lal Fotedar and K.N. Singh have accused party president P.V. Narasimha Rao of taking himself the responsibility “to divide the party and demoralize Congressmen.”
The two leaders described the suspension of Arjun Singh from the party as an “act aimed at splitting the party” and exhorted Congressmen to stand “firm and united to defeat the nefarious game of splitters” of the party.
They said Rao had lost the “moral courage to face the CWC and accused him of taking many far reaching policy decisions which are at variance with the national interest and people’s well being.”
The two leaders reiterated their demand for convening an AICC session and warned that if Rao failed to summon the AICC, “they would mobilize support of the party men for the time.”
They claimed that their program of action was to save Congress and India from the disintegration.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh endorsed the action of Congress president P.V.Narasimha Rao to suspend Arjun Singh from the party.
Hailing the decision, Virbhadra Singh, in a statement, said that it would send right signals at this “crucial juncture in the history of the Congress.” Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary Chander Singh termed it as a right step to make the Congress a strong and disciplined party.” Minister of State for Welfare K.V. Thangkabalu said the suspension “is in accordance with the great tradition of the Indian National Congress which welcomes inner party open discussion but does not tolerate mischievous propaganda outside the party forum.” In Jammu, senior Congress leader and PCC executive committee member Rafiq Sadiq, termed the suspension as “unfortunate and dangerous” for Rao Former Union minister K.K.Tewary urged the Congress president to immediately convene an AICC session for approval of Arjun Singh’s suspension.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 3, 1995
