Uf Govt Survival Depends On Cong Support :Mishra

Union agriculture minister and Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Chaturanan Mishra yesterday said the United Front government at the Centre would last as long as the Congress continued with its support.

Mishra told newsmen here that :the UFs survival depended solely on the Congress. The decision on whether the country should face yet another mid-term poll has to be taken by the Congress.

He, however, pointed out that the ultimate decision lies in the hands of the people.

The minister observed that : any differences among the Front constituents on policy matters can in no way cast doubts about the survival of the United Front government.

Speaking in favour of the coalition form of government, he said, coalition governments are most democratic in their functioning.

Expressing hope over the future of coalition in India, Mishra said, the coalition era has just begun in Indian politics and is likely to continue for long.

Nobody could have earlier imagined that a 13-party coalition will run the government in the country, he added.

On the performance of the RJD government in Bihar led by Rabri Devi, Mishra said a sum of Rs 1,000 crore, made available to the state government for the execution of several World Bank-aided projects remained unutilised so far. He said he had already taken up the matter with the Chief Minister and top state government officials during their recent visit to New Delhi and had advised them to accord priority in executing such schemes.

The minister said the Chief Minister was over-responsive to his suggestion, given during a recent meeting in the capital. on the utilisation of funds being provided to the state.

Mishra, however, assured that his ministry would extend full cooperation to the Bihar government for promoting agriculture-based industries in the state.