HVK Archives: ET: "VP advises Gowda on dos and don'ts ...."
ET: "VP advises Gowda on dos and don'ts ...." - The Economic Times
Political Bureau
()
3 October 1996
Title : VP `advises' Gowda on dos and don'ts for
the Front
Author : Political Bureau
Publication : The Economic Times
Date : October 3, 1996
Former Prime Minister Mr V P Singh today subtly but distinctly laid down a
rulebook of dos and don'ts for the United Front government and its head Mr
H D Deve Gowda in the wake of rampant speculation that the Centre was
protecting Mr P V Narasimha Rao from the legal noose in several cases,
including the $100,000 Lakhubhai Pathak cheating case.
The warning acquires immense significance as it came after the Prime
Minister Mr Gowda held a meeting with Mr Singh at the latter's residence
today morning. Mr Singh's note of caution is also being perceived as a
clear warning to Mr Gowda against taking any unilateral decision on
including the Congress in the government.
Mr Singh's stand, taken today, on a variety of crucial issues, including
Uttar Pradesh, has sparked off nervous- ness both within the Congress(I)
as well as in the Gowda camp of the United Front. This is also a clear
indica- tion that Mr Singh has positioned himself as a prominent player in
any of the future moves between the two par- ties.
The fact that Mr Singh has literally thrown his gauntlet down before Mr
Gowda, who is increasingly being censured within the Front itself for
deviating from the stated principles of CMP -not only on corruption and
economic issues, but also on the basic ideological issues such as
secularism - is expected to more than just put a brake on the prime
minister's plans.
Also adding to the Gowda camp's jitters is the fact that Mr Gowda, despite
his attempts to buttress his position, still has to contend with rivalry
from a down but not Out Janata Dal president Laloo Yadav who is considered
close to the Congress president Mr Sitaram Kesri.
Mr Singh's comments are also being viewed in the context of the Left
parties' demand for an urgent meeting of the steering committee of the UF,
in order to focus on the perceived interference with the natural course of
the law by the Front's own leadership.
Mr Singh implied that any further bailing out of Mr Rao in other cases in
which he is facing charges may not be taken quietly. "The viewpoint of
the Front's regional allies on all these issues cannot be ignored," the
former prime minister stressed. Among the UF allies, Andhra Pradesh chief
minister Chandrababu Naidu has already locked horns with Mr Gowda on the
Alamatti issue.
Referring to the law minister's instructions on September 29, on the
behest of Mr Gowda, to the CBI not to oppose Mr Rao's bail plea in the
Pathak cheating case, Mr Singh stressed in his characteristically subtle
but sharp manner, "There are some cases in which everyone goes on trial,
not just the accused. This may turn out to be one of them."
Choosing not to put his finger directly on the issue, Mr Singh, however,
admitted the adverse public perception of the UF's credibility after the
blatant attempts by the government to bail out Mr Rao from the legal noose
threa- tening him.
Studiously avoiding a direct comment oil the issue of corruption and the
St Kitts issue, Mr Singh stressed, "'While I was jailed, I was put along
with hardened criminals. Now, I understand that there are private
toilets, television sets and other conveniences.
Although Mr Singh steadfastly avoided pointed comments on the issue of Mr
Gowda's 'rescue' of the beleagured Mr Rao - apparently to ensure the
durability of his government and an upperhand for the UF in its
relationship with Congress(I) - Mr Singh maintained, "I wouldn't explain
it quite that way. However, there is no reason to speculate since the
issue, one way or another, will be decided by tomorrow."
The hearing on the St Kitts forgery case, in which Mr Rao is also one of
the accused, is scheduled for Thursday.
Referring to the recent comments of Congress(I) interim president Mr
Sitaram Kesri that all the secular parties should come together in Uttar
Pradesh in order to counter the politics of the BJP, Mr Singh indicated
that he favoured the sentiment, but is also keeping in mind the ground
realities in the post-poll period.
Mr Singh's remark is being construed as a clear indica- tion that with the
surveys strongly indicating a clear majority for BJP in the politically
significant state, there would be little point in discussing the contours
of a post-poll secular party alliance with the Congress(I).
Significantly, Mr Singh underplayed Mr Kesri's threats of pulling out
support to the United Front by remarking "Mr Kesri has to perforce resort
to sabre-rattling because he is in the unenviable position of contesting
against the Front there."
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