Sonia sets terms for toppling Govt

The 8220;responsibility8221; is a euphemism for forming an alternative government either by cobbling together a coalition or going in for a mid-term poll. However, after details of the gruesome murder were given to Sonia by AICC general secretary Madhavrao Scindia, who was asked to visit Orissa and submit a report, the Congress high commandappears to have changed its mind.

A majority of the CWC and 10, Janpath itself have veered around to the view that toppling the BJP-led government is the 8220;best solution8221; to the country8217;s problems. At the very least it would help in saving the minority communities from further persecution, it is being felt.

With this in mind, the Congress president is then understood to have turned to the main problem the party is facing: revival in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu which together account for a hefty chunk of 220 seats to the Lok Sabha. This was identified as the priority area by Sonia soon after she took over as Congress president and it still remains so.

Apparently, the Congress leadership feels that a mid-term poll is a better alternative to depending on sundry allies who would together bring around the same number of MPs the Congress has in the Lok Sabha: 141. However, there is no unanimity on this with a substantial section of Congressmen holding that 8220;nobody wants elections now8221;and that a coalition arrangement is better.

In any case, it is only a matter of time before the Congress looks to the four important states for succour. Therefore, the Sonia directive to improve the Bihar scenario swiftly. Apparently, Sonia has asked partymen to 8220;show her the seats8221; in Bihar the Congress could win should there be an election.

This comes after party feedback suggests that the position has improved in various percentages in UP, Bengal and Tamil Nadu. UPCC chief Salman Khursheed has been giving 10, Janpath positive inputs to the extent that Sonia is considering a longish tour of the state in three weeks time, the first such trip after last year8217;s general election.

In Bengal, the PCC is believed to have reported that the CPM hold is weakening, however slight it may be, and this could be used for the Congress8217; benefit. The Bengal theory is still to be tested but Bihar is not even providing a minimum level of comfort.

Laloo Yadav is proving a tough nut to crack despite all his hasslesand this is irritating Sonia. Congressmen have now been told that 8220;Laloo land8221; holds the key to immediate future plans of the party. Ironically, the Congress managed five seats from Bihar in 19988217;s election having got one in Bengal and drawn a blank in UP and Tamil Nadu. But those five were the result of Laloo8217;s support. This won8217;t do, 10, Janpath feels now.

As the first step, Sonia has sent Shivraj Patil and Meira Kumar to Bihar today to study the situation in the aftermath of the Monday night8217;s Jehanabad massacre, and report back to her. A lot depends on their report but the party stance has already been broadly hinted at.

Party spokesperson Girija Vyas said today that continued violence in Bihar is a 8220;threat to the nation8217;s unity and integrity8221;.

8220;The law and order situation in the state is worrisome. It is hardly what it should be. It is obvious that the government8217;s hold is weakening to a great extent,8221; she added.