Cong gives Ram another chance

Flanked by Sibal and Bandhua Mukti Morcha leader Swami Agnivesh, Jethmalani announced that he would leave for Lucknow today. ‘‘I will remain there till the election. The fight is on. It will continue till May 5,’’ he said. When asked if there was any possibility of his pulling out of the race, Jethmalani said, ‘‘No.’’

In tune with these firm words of Jethmalani, Agnivesh broke his fast undertaken to press him to stay in the race.

Sibal was ready to offer only qualified support to Jethmalani. He said in reply to a question, ‘‘If Jethmalani assures us, and he is assuring us, that there will be a fierce contest against the Prime Minister, who has done nothing for the country, then certainly the Congress will withdraw its candidate. Since Jethmalani is in the fray now, we will have to withdraw our candidate.’’

Jethmalani stated that he had told the Prime Minister sometime ago to dissolve the Tehelka Commission which he said was against the liberty of the press. He also recalled having advised him not to align with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa because she had been condemned by a court of law. Regarding the possibility of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party supporting his candidature, he said they were under pressure from the BJP.

Jethmalani also blamed Vajpayee for letting Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi hold office even after the riots. He then attacked Law Minister Arun Jaitley, saying: ‘‘He is Modi’s friend.’’ ‘‘If the minister for justice mixes with him (Modi), can there be justice?’’ he asked. Jethmalani also levelled certain allegations against Vajpayee.

Jaitley, however, dismissed Jethmalani’s charges. ‘‘Jethmalani has touched a new low by making these allegations,’’ he said. He sought an explanation from the Congress on its support to someone who had asked Rajiv Gandhi 10 questions every day on Bofors and who had defended the assassins of Indira Gandhi.