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Journalism of Courage
NEW DELHI, March 6: The United Front today remained divided on extending support to Congress in ministry formation at the Centre in the face of stiff resistance from Telugu Desam although the Front’s public posture was that it would stay together under all circumstances.
Differences came to the fore at a meeting of the UF core committee when TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu strongly rejected the idea floated by CPI-M leader Harkishen Singh Surjeet and Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav that the Front support a Congress-led government to keep the BJP out.
The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister also made it clear at the meeting that if the Front decided to oppose any confidence motion in a BJP-led government, he would have to again consult his party cadres and leaders.
Front leaders sought to mollify Naidu urging him not to come to any hasty decision as there had been no request from Congress so far for Front’s support nor had Congress been asked to form government.
In the wake of differences ofperception among Front partners, the core committee decided to meet again on March 10 to finalise its strategy on government formation.
Spokesman S Jaipal Reddy said after the three-hour meeting the Front had decided to adopt a common line while remaining united "under all circumstances".
Front sources felt the next round of meeting fixed on March 10 was only a ploy at "postponing the evil" as Naidu was not seen to be keen on opposing a BJP government.
At a press conference later, Naidu appeared soft on BJP and parried a volley of questions whether the party was communal maintaining "we are secular".
