Ufs Fear Of Partners Walking Out Led To Rethink On Leadership

The United Fronts apprehension that some of its constituents may walk out if a mid-term poll was thrust on them led to a re-think on the leadership issue. This is the impression the United Front Convenor, N Chandrababu Naidu, gave here in an informal 60-minute talk with media, though he did not spell it out in so many words.

Naidu said he for one was ready for a fresh mandate as he could improve upon his 16 TDP members in the Lok Sabha. But there were other constituents who were not prepared for a fresh poll so soon, as they had bagged the maximum seats in the last election and there was no scope for any further addition to their tally.

He said the decision that Deve Gowda should step down did not amount to a betrayal of the leader. All the UF members had voted for Deve Gowda in the Lok Sabha and thus stood by him. But once his motion was defeated, a new situation had arisen. If they do not take note of this new scenario, the very concept of United Front would have been undermined.

Naidu explained that no decision has yet been taken on the change of leadership. Gowda had voluntarily offered to step down and the steering committee will meet again on April 17 to review the situation. Only after a review, a decision on leadership will be taken. He made it clear that if the UF formed a government again with a new leader, it will be on the basis of unconditional support by the Congress from outside.

He believed such a government will last the full term and will be stable. Every one, including the Congress, had been enriched with the present experience.

Naidu reiterated his conviction that the days of one party rule are over and only coalition governments will last. This was also obvious from the decision of the BJP to go in for a National Democratic Front with six regional parties already with them and scouting for more such groups. Obviously, they have lost confidence of forming a government on their own, he said.

To a question, the TDP chief firmly ruled out any tie-up with the National Democratic Front.