Gujral Hopeful Of Tmc Joining Government

The new United Front leader I K Gujral said yesterday the chances of Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) joining the government were very good.

Speaking to newsmen after the United Front parliamentary party, where he was elected its leader, Gujral said the chances of TMC joining the government are very much there.

Asked whether he would retain the Deve Gowda cabinet, Gujral said, I have not applied my mind on it yet.

Meanwhile, Front convener Chandrababu Naidu had a meeting yesterday morning with TMC leader G K Moopanar and discussed the prospect of TMC joining the new government.

We are absolutely confident that we will be able to persuade the TMC to participate in the new government, a senior Front leader said.

Gujral said he met TMC leader G K Moopnar on Saturday night and requested him to reconsider his party's decision not to join his government.

I must not take a no from them. They are all our friends, Gujral said in reply to a question.

I am going to him (Moopnar) again and again and I think I will succeed in my efforts, he said.

Asked about the priorities of his government, the new UF leader said the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) launched by his predecessor would continue.

In reply to another question whether he would retain the portfolio of external affairs, Gujral remarked I have not yet decided.

On the United Front's ties with the Congress which has extended support to its government from outside, Gujral said we will have very good relations.

Stating that Congress president Sitaram Kesri was an old friend of his, Gujral said he talked to him on phone yesterday. My age gives an added advantage, he said. We will try to work out a mechanism for better coordination between the United Front and the Congress, Gujral said.

Asked how he proposed to eradicate corruption, Gujral said outgoing Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda had set an example in curbing it and I will sustain it to the best my ability.

Replying to a question on the possibility of having a deputy Prime Minister, Gujral said he was yet to apply his mind to the issue.