M A I N   N E W S

Persuade Gujarat: allies
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, March 7 — Partners in the National Democratic Alliance today urged the BJP leadership to persuade the Gujarat Government to withdraw the controversial order, allowing its staff to join the RSS, as a way out to end the impasse in Parliament.

With the Congress in no mood to relent on its demand for a censure discussion on the issue and the NDA allies insisting on a general debate on the controversy, this view emerged at a meeting of the NDA convened by the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, today.

Sources said the Prime Minister had been told that the impasse could be resolved if the BJP took it up at the party level. All constituents of the NDA were present at the meeting which lasted about an hour. Union Ministers, L.K. Advani, Jaswant Singh, Pramod Mahajan, Mamata Banerjee were among those who attended the meeting.

The BJP, it is understood would make efforts to act on the suggestion and contact the Gujarat leadership soon. Its task has become easier as the RSS has said it is unconcerned about the circular issued by the Gujarat Government.

The suggestion has assumed importance as an all-party meeting convened today by the Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr G.M.C. Balayogi failed to find a solution to the more than a week-long stand off.

Congress leader, Madhavrao Scindia told mediapersons after the meeting that the Opposition was adamant that nothing short of a discussion under Rule 184, which entails voting, would do to resolve the impasse.

The allies of the BJP were, however, not prepared for a censure motion as voting for or against the motion would create problems for them, he said.

The RJD leader, Mr Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, said if the Rule 184 motion failed, his party would bring in a no-confidence motion against the government.

Trinamool Congress leader, Sudip Bandopadhyaya said after the meeting that his party was opposed to the circular issued by the Gujarat Government, but if the issue was pressed to be discussed under Rule 184, it would support the Vajpayee government.

The party was of the view that Mr Vajpayee as the Leader of the House should take an initiative to resolve the impasse.

He said the Opposition had been trapped as senior leaders like Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mr Indrajit Gupta had given notices on discussion under Rule 193 and these had been admitted. He said since a general discussion had been admitted, it should be allowed to be continued.

Republican Party of India leader Ramdas Athavale said his party was interested in exposing some of the allies which claimed to be wedded to secularism.

Pandya leaves for Delhi

GANDHINAGAR, March 7 (PTI) — Gujarat Home Minister Haren Pandya tonight left for Delhi amidst speculations that he would hold consultations with the BJP central leadership on the issue of controversy surrounding the state government’s decision to allow its employees to join RSS activities.

Meanwhile, state Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel today asserted he was under no pressure to withdraw the circular allowing the state government employees to join RSS activities. The Chief Minister told newspersons here that the Centre had not told him anything about it (circular) and added “It is our constitutional right to take a decision on the matter”.