Congress To Raise Gowda'S Meet With Thackeray

The issue was raised by certain Maharashtra leaders of the executive when it met yesterday to discuss the party's strategy in the current session of Parliament. CPP spokesman Suresh Kalmadi, however, would not say how Prime Minister's meeting with a leader of political party could be raised in Parliament. The executive, which was presided over by Congress president PV Narasimha Rao, discussed the controversy in the light of its political implications on the minorities. Some members pointed out that most of the United Front parties had already resented the meeting in one way or other.

Since Shiv Sena had openly claimed the credit for pulling down Babri Masjid and it still remained communal, no secular party could support hobnobbing with its leader. The members said it would send wrong signals to the people.

Among those who attended the meeting were SB Chavan, Bhubanesh Chaturvedi, VN Gadgil and RK Dhawan. Kalmadi said the executive did not support VP Singh's suggestion for the formation of another states reorganisation commission.