Cong Not Ready For Fresh Elections, Says Gadgil

Congress spokesman V N Gadgil yesterday candidly admitted that the party was not ready to face fesh elections for at least another year but warned the United Front (UF) government that it would not hesitate to withdraw support if it does anything in violation of the basic policies of the Congress.

The UF government should not take our support for granted. At the time of supporting the UF government, we had made our position clear to them that we wiil continuously review the situation if the need arises, Gadgil said at a Meet the press programme, organised by the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh. However, at present, there is no question of withdrawing the support. But if they (UF govt) fall by their own contradictions, what can we do about it, Gadgil said.

The UF government, he said, was directionless as it lacked unity of purpose and a sense of direction. Gadgil rieterated that the Congress would not join the UF government at any cost. Referring to Sharad Pawars proposal for an alliance with the Samajwadi Party, he remarked we have to plod this path very cautiously in view of past experiences.

Meanwhile, Narasimha Rao loyalists, B P Maurya and Jagannath Mishra, have expressed grave doubts ove the seriousness of Congress president Sitaram Kesaris efforts to instil new life in the party. Participating in a political debate Central Hall, a weekly programme on Home TV, they accused Kesari of adopting dual policy on issue of corruption saying he has disappointed all those who had pinned hopes that he would revive the organisation. Maurya went a step further by emphasising that revival of Congress was not possible till Kesri is the party chief. the issue, in fact, is whether the party will be able to survive under his leadership as mud cannot be washed with mud, he said.