Allies rally behind government
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Nov 30 — Faced with a growing threat to their coalition government, the allies today rallied behind the government, unanimously reaffirming "unequivocal commitment" to the national agenda for governance and to the government led by Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Briefing mediapersons on the 90-minute coordination committee meeting held in the Prime Minister’s office within Parliament, the Defence Minister and the convener of the coordination committee, Mr George Fernandes, said the committee while expressing unity and solidarity reiterated that "the government remains committed to providing a stable regime". The meeting was presided by the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The meeting also resolved that the allies "remain committed to fulfilling their assurances to the people of India", Mr Fernandes said. "All designs to artificially destabilise the government by creating uncertainty and or spreading false alarm do not subserve the national interests. This will be defeated", the resolution further stressed.

While all allies, barring the Trinamool Congress and the Biju Janata Dal, attended the meeting, a conscious effort was made to project unity among the allies and to avoid any impression of dissonance within the ruling alliance partners.

None of the leaders after the meeting was prepared to talk to the waiting mediapersons saying that Mr Fernandes would brief them.

When asked whether there was any criticism of the performance of the government within the meeting particularly in the context of the statements made by some allies after the dismal show of the BJP in the recently held Assembly elections, Mr Fernandes quipped: "That was in the past". The resolution reaffirming commitment to the government was passed today".

Drawing possibly a lesson from the recent defeat in the assembly elections, the committee asked the government to monitor on a day-to day basis the price situation and take remedial measures to control inflation. Mr Fernandes said the next meeting of the coordination committee would be held towards the end of December.

The committee asked the government to ensure that decisions taken at the Chief Minister’s meeting, which was convened by the Prime Minister were speedily acted upon.

The government was asked to make an immediate study of the impact of monsoons on the foodgrain crop. Fertilisers and the should be freely made available to the farmers, the committee observed.

The meeting discussed issues like attacks on minorities, introduction of a Bill on the existing reservation in states and appointment of a committee to consider recognition to schedule languages as official languages.

The committee was of the view that the Essential Commodities Bill which at present is being considered by the Standing Committee of Parliament, should be taken up during the current session.

On the issue of attacks on the minorities, particularly Christians, the government would make a statement in Parliament, Mr Fernandes said. The committee, on its part, assured the Christian community that it would be protected against any attacks and atrocities.

Mr Fernandes said it would take another week for him to submit a report on the Udham Singh Nagar issue. "Representations are still coming up from parties concerned", he said. Asked whether the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Kalyan Singh had also sought more time on the issue, he replied in the negative.

Zoramthanga is CM-designate

AIZAWL, Nov 30 (UNI) — Setting in motion the process for the formation of a new government in Mizoram, Mizo National Front President Zoramthanga was unanimously elected today as leader of the United Legislature Party.

Mizoram People’s Conference (MPC) Working President Lalhmingthanga was elected as his deputy. The MNF-MPC combine had unseated the Congress Government headed by Mr Lal Thanhawla in the Assembly elections.

The decision was taken at a meeting attended by all 34 newly-elected MLAs of both parties here in the morning.

Later, a delegation comprising six MLAs led by Chief Minister designate Zoramthanga met Governor A. Padmanabhan to apprise him of the joint legislature party’s claim to form the new government.

Coming out of the Raj Bhavan, Mr Zoramthanga said: "We met the Governor to stake our claim to form the government, but the swearing-in ceremony will take place only after the Election Commission sends its final report regarding the just-concluded elections to the Governor".

The final report from Saiha, headquarters of Chhimtuipui, was expected to be received here tonight, he added.

Meanwhile MPC President and former Chief Minister Brig T. Sailo, however, made it clear that he would not be "an active member of the government’’.

Though the party members present at today’s crucial meeting were reluctant to divulge what all transpired during the discussions, it was reliably learnt that the new ministry would comprise 10 members, five each from the MNF and the MPC.

After the meeting was over, Mr Zoramthanga said the nominee for the Speaker’s post will be decided later.

The meeting, held at the state guest house here, was attended by MNF Chief Zoramthanga, MPC President Brig T. Sailo and MPC Working President Lalhminthanga, among others.

It was reliably learnt that the MPC members were pressing for some key portfolios besides the Speaker’s post with the MNF getting the Chief Minister’s post.

However, Mr Lalhminthanga said his party would not create any problems over the issue of distribution of portfolios.

Meanwhile, Mr Zoramthanga, as leader of the the United Legislature Party called on Governor A. Padmanabhan to apprise him of the combine’s claim to form the new government.

Election fallout on Haryana
By Gobind Thukral and Yoginder Gupta
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Nov 30 — While the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bansi Lal, is confident of remaining in power, the Haryana Congress party is surely in an upbeat mood. The convincing win of the Congress in three of the four states where assembly elections were held and the ignominious defeat of the BJP, which currently rules at the Centre has made the Haryana Congress look forward to rule the state once again.

What adds to its confidence is the fact that the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), the party led by the former Chief Minister, Mr Om Parkash Chautala, was also humbled at the hustings. He could win none of the 10 seats he contested in Delhi and Rajasthan. His efforts to project himself as the Jat leader of the region came to cropper.

"We have a clear majority and there is no threat to my government here despite the wishful thinking of certain people. The relationship between the Haryana Vikas Party and the BJP, the two coalition partners, is very strong", Mr Bansi Lal said here today. Talking to TNS, the Chief Minister asserted that his government was stable like a rock.

"Some people have tried all kinds of tricks in Haryana. They have eaten dust. Our achievements, particularly in the power sector are; the envy of some politicians in Haryana. This is disturbing our opponents and they are keen to see us out. But they will not succeed for the simple reason that our alliance is strong", he added.

Interestingly , Mr Bansi Lal would not like to comment on the news reports that Mr Chautala was given any understanding by the BJP to replace his government. "These questions should be addressed to the right quarters. We are meeting in Delhi this evening for the coordination committee session and we will debate the reasons for the defeat of the BJP in these three states", he added when asked to spell out the reason for the defeat.

In fact, what ever the leaders on the two sides of the fence might say, the defeat of the BJP would have its reflections in Haryana. It is possible, that a weakened BJP may not be in a position to upstage Mr Bansi Lal or his Haryana Vikas Party and thus fulfil the wishes of Mr Chautala whose four Lok Sabha members are no doubt crucial to the BJP-led coalition at the Centre. Perhaps a stronger BJP could have been dictating terms to its allies but not a weak political party as the BJP is today. But in the long run, the BJP would have to firmly select its ally in Haryana. Right now it has a partner in the HVP here and, in Delhi, it is having the support of the INLD. There are as yet no clear signals.

But what Food and Supply Minister, Mr Ganeshi Lal, said here sums up the mood. " This government is doing a good job and there is no cause of worry on that front. Mr Bansi Lal has a good image and leads the coalition well. So why think of other things," he said.

The Chief Minister who met his colleagues here at an informal meeting today discussed the result of the elections. His message was that they should double up their efforts. "Times are indeed hard for those who do not perform. People want results" he said.

It is as not very clear how Mr Devi Lal, the senior most leader of the INLD, or Mr Chautala would be assessing their defeat. May be they think, they have faltered in their assessment of the BJP itself. Lack of governance, rising prices and economic hardship and the effort to push the Hindutava agenda would surely be under review by these leaders. The normal tendency at the time of defeat among the political leaders is some introspection, but there is always an effort to keep a face and blame others. They could blame the BJP and its non-performance. In any case, Mr Chautala's party is supporting the coalition at the Centre and opposing the same party, the BJP at times, in Haryana. This contradiction too would be under review.

The upbeat mood in the Congress is understandable. Its Haryana unit president, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda who has defeated the jat patriarch, Mr Devi Lal thrice from the Rohtak Lok Sabha seat, carries a clean image. He has been striving hard to build up the party. But when chances come back to power brighten up, so does the inner party struggle for supremacy.

All in all, it makes Haryana an interesting case where all sorts of permutations and combinations are the practice.