Cong Turns Hawkish On Support To Uf

Stung by the recent electoral reverses, the Congress yesterday became more aggressive, shifting from its hitherto unconditional support to the United Front government to issue-based support. From now on, the party will decide whether or not to support the government on each separate issue.

The Congress Working Committee decided that party chief Sitaram Kesari should meet every morning of the budget session of Parliament with the All-India Congress Committee and the Congress Parliamentary Party to chalk out strategy for that day. There will be eight votes, on which the government could be brought down, before both Houses recess on March 21.

The CWC resolution argued that the UF had been supported to contain the communal forces, but that elections in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and elsewhere had demonstrated the UF's failure to provide the leadership necessary to consolidate the forces of secularism.