Cong Prepares Ground For Battle

A rally outside the Prime Minister's residence against the rise in prices, a well-prepared attack on the government's Hindutva agenda, a warning on the deterioration of the country's economic situation, and, to top it all, networking with other Opposition parties _ the Congress is bracing itself for a big battle in the Budget session of Parliament, beginning May 27.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sharad Pawar yesterday discussed issues which could be used against the BJP-led coalition government with leaders of other Opposition parties.

Opposition parties had been building their agenda separately. But now a coordinated effort is on to target the government's policies.

Apart from the nuclear issue and the reversal in the country's policy on peace and disarmament, the Opposition is likely to make an issue of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's plans of constructing a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

A convergence of views among the Opposition on such issues was evident yesterday when the Congress termed the temple activity as indicative of the "Sangh Parivar's attempts to divert public attention from its failures on the governance front".

The Opposition is also likely to target Union home minister L K Advani for his involvement in the Ayodhya incident. They are likely to object to his being in charge of the home ministry, under which an inquiry commission is investigating into the events that led to the demolition of the Babri mosque.

The demonstration against rise in prices was organised by the Mahila Congress.

Similar demonstrations are being planned at other places in the country. A Congress leader did not rule out the possibility of staging demonstrations jointly with other Opposition parties.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi is likely to present the Congress' agenda to party MPs when she meets them this evening.

Former finance minister Manmohan Singh is likely to lead the party's attack against the government's economic policies. With the falling rupee, rising inflation, a low growth rate, and possibly a tough budget, the party sees enough opportunities to nail the government in the coming session.