Uf Should Replace Gowda Only After Cong Takes Back Letter: Left

The Left parties insist that the United Front should think of replacing HD Deve Gowda as UF parliamentary party leader only after the Congress withdraws its letter to President Shanker Dayal Sharma staking claim to form a government.

Since the Congress Working Committee has taken a formal decision to extend unconditional support to a UF government, why doesnt the party withdraw its letter, even if it is just a matter of formality, one senior Left leader asked.

Congress president Sitaram Kesri, in a letter to the President a day after his party withdrew support to the UF government, had staked claim to form a Congress government.

Left leaders, who are upset with the way things have evolved after the Sunday meeting of the UF steering committee, say that even though things have gone too far with regard to a change of leader, the UF should be cautious and should not give the impression of bowing to the Congress pressure.

They have taken exception to the announcements of some of the UF leaders, to the effect that the UF would elect a new leader on April 20. When no formal decision with regard to a change of leadership was taken in the UF steering committee meeting how can we announce that we will choose a new leader, one senior Left leader asked.

Gowda had just said that he would not be a stmbling block. He said if the UF constituents want to avoid elections and a change of leader would help in that regard he was ready to step down, he said, adding that no further discussion was held on the matter.

The Left parties had pledged their support to Gowda till the last moment and they argued that what was the guarantee that the Congress would lend stability to a new United Front government if a new leader replaced Gowda.