Coalition OK, Sonia stoops to conquer

Emerging from a 40-minute meeting with the President, Sonia admitted that she had so far mustered the support of only 233 MPs. 8220;I shall talk again with all the colleagues who voted against the confidence motion. It is for the other secular forces to see that the BJP Government does not come back,8221; she told waiting correspondents.

Besides the SP, the Janata Dal, the BSP, SJP Chandra Shekhar, the RSP and Forward Bloc have not handed over letters of support to the Congress.

Significantly, apart from telling her to complete her consultations as soon as possible, the President has not set a time-frame for the formation ofan alternative government. This leaves the Congress with room to either persuade Mulayam to agree to a Congress minority government or to work out the contours of a coalition. In the latter case, the leadership issue will be a tricky matter to resolve but Sonia indicated that the option was open, saying she would have to discuss it with her party colleagues.

Leading her generals into a long night of planning, Gandhi summoned available CWC members to 10, Janpath, for an emergency meeting, minutes after meeting the President. Most CWC members had felt that the President would go for dissolution of the Lok Sabha once Sonia couldn8217;t get the numbers. 8220;But he gave us some time. Now more developments will take place over the next two days,8221; said a CWC member tonight.

According to a UNI report, HRD Minister Murli Manohar Joshi said that the President8217;s decision to give more time to Sonia Gandhi amounted to a violation of 8220;established democratic conventions.8221; This will only help to encourage horse-trading,he alleged.

The CWC is likely to meet tomorrow too and vital decisions are in the air. The dominant feeling is one of being let down by Mulayam. 8220;From the beginning, people like Mulayam, Amar Singh, Laloo, Jyoti Basu, Surjeet and others have been shouting from their rooftops that we should form the government. We were not keen but after the Vajpayee Government fell, we thought they will support our government. They never said we should form a government with them. Now, they particularly Mulayam are laying down conditions. We feel we have been cheated,8221; said CWC member Rajesh Pilot.

But still, there is a buzz about the sudden change in Sonia8217;s stand on the government. Having made it clear that she would like a minority Congress government, Sonia today spoke of a possible coalition arrangement.

First, Arjun Singh told the media this in the afternoon. And in the night, Sonia added she would discuss with the CWC on whether the Congress should agree to a coalition set-up. As CWC members begandeliberating, they grappled with varying thoughts. Sharad Pawar is close to irritation. Earlier in the day he told reporters that enough was enough, Mulayam had shown his 8220;true colours8221; and Sonia should opt for polls instead of seeking his support anymore.

Arjun Singh, on the other hand, was dead serious that Sonia do anything necessary to form the next government. From day one, Arjun was plotting for this with two reasons uppermost in his mind. The moment Sonia is sworn in as Prime Minister, she buries the tag of a 8220;foreigner8221; once and for all.

The BJP had already coined a slogan against Sonia 8220;Abhi karega Rome raaj, Phir aayega Ram rajya First, Rome shall rule, then will come Ram Rajya8221; and this had reached CWC members. Chandra Shekhar followed up saying a 8220;foreigner8221; must not be PM Sonia and Shekhar had a 45-minute meeting today afternoon. This issue had to be dealt with and the best way is for Sonia to be PM, feels the CWC section led by Arjun Singh.

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