Cong Wont Destabilise Govt: Pawar

Sharad Pawar, leader of the Congress party in Lok Sabha, yesterday categorically stated that his party would not on its own take any step which will destabilise the United Front government.

Addressing a rally here, he said the Congress had taken the decision to support the UF government in the larger interest of the country and stablity.

Congressmen must, however, prepare to face the consequences of the internal contradictions in the UF, the senior Congress leader warned.

The rally was organised to felicitate the newly elected Congress members to the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad municipal corporations as well as Pune zilla parishad.

Pawar said the process of rejuvenating his party has begun.

If Congressmen keep their commitment to the people and sincerity to the organisation, the present political picture would change.

According to him, the Congress has improved its position in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Orissa and Karnataka. Stating that people are now for change, Pawar exhorted partymen to start strengthening the party organisation unitedely.

Refering to the results of the recent municipal and zilla parishad elections in Maharashtra, the former Chief Minister advised Congressmen not take the help of the BJP and Shiv Sena to get power in panchayat samiti chairmans elections.

There are 11 zilla parishads where no party has secured majority. The Congress, he declared, would get majority with the help of like-minded parties in nine zilla parishads.

Pawar criticised the Maharashtra governments decision to rename Osmanabad as Dharashiv. We should give priority to basic needs of the people, he said.

MPCC vice-president Anantrao Thopte, general secretary Mmadan Bafna and spokesman Vasant Chavan also spoke on the occasion.