Cong to join Gujarat ministry, says Patel

He said that decision on the issue of coalition with the RJP has been delayed because leaders in New Delhi could not spare time due to hectic political activity subsequent to the leakage of the Jain Commission report. “Since now everything is heading toward a logical conclusion at the Centre, the party high command will certainly be able to confabulate with Gujarat leaders on this issue of coalition in a week or so,” says Patel.

There is pressure from a sizeable section of Congress legislators for sharing power with the RJP Government, therefore, the final decision could not be delayed any more, he said. After initial consultations with central leaders, the State unit of the party will take a formal decision on the issue and refer it to the high command for its approval, he elaborated. “Once we have extended support to the Government led by Parikh, it makes more sense to join it,” opines Patel.

He refuted the charge that the RJP was trying to procrastinate the coalition as it fears serious adjustment problems after Congress decides to join the Government. “It is not true. Chief Minister Parikh, in fact, has been asking about our decision and has often repeated that the doors are open for us. The delay has been mainly due to the crisis in Delhi,” he clarified. He, however, confessed that the coalition was not going to be a smooth affair and distribution of portfolio promised to create problems.

The former fears are justified, as RJP sources say their managers are concerned about the discontentment brewing in the ministers-in-waiting, who had last week launched a signature campaign to put pressure on Parikh for an early induction. Parikh has been delaying his expansion in view of Congress’ desire to be a part of his government but was forced to concede the demand partly by announcing that he will expand his 15 member cabinet within this week.

State Congress president Patel made it clear that there is absolutely no chance (after the formal decision of joining the Government is taken) of claiming fifty per cent ministerial positions for its legislators. “Our intention is not to create problems for the RJP Government but to assist in governance. Therefore, we will recommend only ten to 12 MLAs for being inducted as ministers,” he confided.

His stand on the number of ministers does not find agreement what with the uncompromising stand of former Chief Minister and main propagator of coalition theory, Chhabildas Mehta who had been insisting on fifty-fifty arrangement. Mehta believes that the RJP is trying to put the issue on the back burner.