The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Saturday, October 12, 2002, Chandigarh, India

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CWC authorises Sonia to take decisions
Prashant Sood
Tribune News Service

Congress President Sonia Gandhi (L) talks with Ghulam Nabi Azad during a meeting in New Delhi on Friday. — Reuters photo

New Delhi, October 11
The Congress Working Committee today authorised Congress President Sonia Gandhi to take appropriate decisions regarding the formation of a government in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Congress Working Committee met here this evening after Jammu and Kashmir PCC chief Ghulam Nabi Azad flew down from Srinagar for talks with the party high command.

Mr Azad had separate meetings with Mrs Gandhi both before and after the CWC meeting. In his one-to-one meetings, Mr Azad briefed her about the political situation in the state.

The Congress today adopted a more cautious stance about the government formation in view of the signals emanating from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) about leading a coalition government. Congress President Sonia Gandhi said after the CWC meeting that talks were being held with like-minded parties and a decision on formation of government would be taken soon. Congress general secretary Ambika Soni had yesterday indicated that the party would lead the coalition government.

Congress chief spokesman Jaipal Reddy said it was too early to comment on government formation. “Let us first collect members. I am not in a position to say which party would lead the coalition or who would be the Chief Minister,” Mr Reddy said.

He added that details were being worked out. “First an understanding has to be reached... the picture is still not clear. Talks are being held with the PDP to sort out questions,” the spokesman said.

Mr Reddy indicated that in case it was a coalition government led by the Congress, Mr Azad would be the party’s choice for Chief Minister. “If Congress forms the government naturally PCC chief would be a choice,” he said.

On his arrival in Delhi, Mr Azad said six Independent MLAs had already joined the Congress and eight more were likely to join tomorrow. With this the Congress strength in the 87 member House has gone up to 26. The party also has support from seven MLAs from smaller parties.

Mr Azad’s remarks mean that the Congress has not conceded the position of leading a coalition government in the state. There were unconfirmed reports earlier today of seven MLAs joining the PDP which has won 16 seats in the Assembly.

Significantly, the PDP has so far not declared that it will support a Congress-led government.

In a surprise development, PDP Vice-President Muzaffar Baig today had an almost two-hour meeting with caretaker Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar.

With no clear picture as yet about the extent of support enjoyed by the Congress and the PDP from Independent MLAs, the task of formation of government is likely to take some days.