Gowda Tries To Underplay Alliance In Up

Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda yesterday tried to underplay the BJP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh by saying the United Front government was not surviving at the support of either party. Speaking to reporters at the airport on his arrival from Delhi, Gowda said you (the press) are of the impression that the United Front government is surviving on the mercy of the BJP or BSP. He was replying to a question on whether the BJP-BSP alliance in Uttar Pradesh was a setback to the United Front government.

Asked about the fate of gubernatorial chair of Romesh Bhandari in Uttar Pradesh, the Prime Minister said it was not an issue at all. It is left to the President, he said.

On his reported differences of opinion with the home minister, Indrajit Gupta, Gowda said it is the gossip of some sections. Gupta had attended the cabinet meeting on Saturday, he said.

On the Alamatti issue, he said it was for Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to sort out their differnces on the basis of the tribual orders. The Centre has never been involved in the matter and it is for the states to settle the issue, he said.

The Prime Minister said the subjects of trade, defence and nuclear power plant projects would come up for discussions during his visit to Russia.