Tiwari Group Meet To Discuss Joining Congress

The Con-gress (T), which comprises rebel Congre-ssmen like N D Tiwari and Arjun Singh, is a constituent of the UF. It has four Lok Sabha MPs, of whom two are Union ministers.

With Madh-avrao Scindia certain to re-join the Congress in the near future, all eyes are now on the Congress (T). Scindias Madhya Pradesh Vikas Parishad is reported to have already decided to merge with the Congress. During the recent byelections in Madhya Pradesh, Scindias party fared poorly, which is said to be one of the reasons for his decision to seriously consider Congress president Sitaram Kesaris unity call to Congressmen.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh is understood to have informed central leaders that he had no objection to Scindias re-admission.

During talks with Congress functionaries, Scindia is reported to have sought a similar appr-oach towards Arjun Singh and Tiwari.

Kesari is said to be less eager to have Tiwari and Arjun Singh back, mainly because both would aspire to take his place sooner or later. He is said to be particularly opposed to Singh, whom he has always blamed for the refusal of a Rajya Sabha nomination about a decade ago. Singh was then the vice-president of the party.

However, Kesari is said to be satisfied that Singh and Tiwari will not aspire for a major role for at least some time after being reinducted.

Cong leaders attend Arjun function

Our Political Bureau NEW DELHI

An interesting combination of Congress leaders of various hues, including Sonia Gandhi, turned up to listen to bhajans yesterday at former Congress leader Arjun Singhs residence. Party leaders saw it as a signal of imminent reunification. Congress president Sitaram Kesari wasnt there but his aides Tariq Anwar and Ahmed Patel were. That was a clear signal that Kesari is willing to rebuild bridges with Singh. Kesari has borne a grudge against Singh ever since he was denied a Rajya Sabha nomination about a decade ago. Singh was then the party vice-president.

While Kesaris willingness to allow Singhs Congress (Tiwari) to remerge with the parent party is now well known, the man whose presence really caused raised eyebrows was Suresh Kalmadi, a staunch Rao loyalist.

Also present for the bhajans, which were sung to mark Indira Gandhis twelfth death anniversary, was Ajit Jogi, once a staunch Singh loyalist who has now become a Kesari backer.