M A I N   N E W S

Cong opposes move on Sangma
Panel on Constitution review

NEW DELHI, Feb 12 (UNI) — The Congress today opposed the government’s move to induct former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma in the M N Venkatachaliah Commission to review the Constitution saying the whole exercise would then become partisan.

Talking to newspersons, party spokesperson Anil Shastri described Mr Sangma as “biased” and “prejudiced” and said his inclusion would defeat the professed objective of the commission. “Moreover, he does not fit into the government’s claim of nominating only apolitical persons in the proposed commission.

Mr Shastri said the Congress was aware of Mr Sangma’s links with the Sangh Parivar and hence the decision to include him in the panel. Mr Sangma, who had quit the Congress, has gone on record that the Constitution should be amended to prevent foreigners from occupying the post of Prime Minister. The Congress is of the view that Mr Sangma was targeting Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

The Congress, which had initially opposed the setting up of the commission, diluted its stand saying it could comment on it only after its terms and references were made public. Now, it has opposed the proposed inclusion of Mr Sangma in the commission.

SAHARSA (PTI): Congress President Sonia Gandhi today opposed the Vajpayee government’s move to allegedly effect changes in the Constitution saying those who had faith in democracy would never allow a government to take such a sinister step.

Addressing an election rally here, Ms Gandhi described the Centre as “anti-poor’’ and alleged the miseries of common people had further compounded during the NDA rule.

She alleged the NDA constituents were continuing their relations with the BJP out of sheer opportunism.

Taking a dig at the BJP for proposing review of the Constitution, the Congress President said: “People have now started raising fingers against the BJP and its self-seeking allies for supporting the government.’’

“People having faith in democracy will never allow the BJP to effect changes in the basic structure of the Constitution,’’ she said.

She promised that her party would take steps for conducting elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions at the earliest if voted to power.

She appealed to the people to vote for the Congress for the all-round development of Bihar and vote out the RJD ministry.