NEW DELHI: Signals from Rashtrapati Bhawan that a bid for power by the Congress would be frowned upon has led the party leadership to close all options other than voting the BJP out of power and supporting the National Front’s claim.

President S.D, Sharma is believed to have told some Congress MPs close to party presidents P.V, Narasimha Rao that the mandate indicated a largely oppositional role for the Congress.

Congress sources said the President seemed to favor a stable coalition, as it was not possible for the Congress to join such a coalition at president the party had the most number of MPs and would demand the prime minister ship ~ it should only ox tend outside support.

With the Congress leadership realizing there was no chance of grabbing power; it is working trying to dispel the impression that it had facilitated the BJP Government’s formation.

An informal Congress Working Committee meeting last week decided to put of the panels May 22 meeting, The CWC felt the immediate task was to vole the Atal Behari Vajpayee Government out of office by May 31.

The CWC was called at a short notice as members opposed to Mr, Rao’s. Leadership was trying to put up a Joint front. However, at the meeting, the overwhelming majority was in favor of the May 22 meeting slated to discuss organizational matters being cancelled, The CWC will now meet after May 31.

The party leadership has successfully employed “divide and rule” with: the dissidents, Former Maharashira Chief Minister Sharad Pawar sprung fi Surprise at the meeting on Rao baiters by suggesting that the May 22 nesting be put off.

Former Minister of State for Environment Rajesh Pilot objected, painting Out that even if the meeting was to be put off, the CWE could have met on May 22, since an informal meeting sais NOL empowered to dose. He found some support from former Union Industry Minister K. Karunakaran who said his objections should be recorded.

The CWC decision has been followed up with Mr. Rao personally contacting influential MPs and Leaders to emphasize that no efforts should be spared to defeat the BJP, Ho has sought to quell discontent among MPs from States Where the NFLF consequents are in power over support to

Kamataka Chief Minister H, Deve Gowda’s claim.

Article extracted from this publication >>