The Hindu : National : SP, RLD extend support to Congress-led coalition

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Tuesday, May 18, 2004

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National

SP, RLD extend support to Congress-led coalition

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 17. The Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal today extended support to the Congress-led coalition at the Centre. The RLD president, Ajit Singh, along with the Samajwadi Party general secretary, Amar Singh, called on the President, A.P.J Abdul Kalam, this afternoon and handed over their letters of support. "We have always said that we will support the

formation of a secular government. Today we have proved it," said Mr. Amar Singh.

Significantly, though both the leaders met the President together, the contents of the letters submitted by them varied in content. While Mr. Ajit Singh informed the President that his party had decided to support Ms. Gandhi for the prime ministership, the Samajwadi Party, in its letter, said that it was extending support to the Congress in keeping with the decision of the Left parties, particularly the Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary, Harkishan Singh Surjeet.

The nuanced support of the Samajwadi Party is at variance with the letters of support submitted by the post-poll allies of the Congress and its supporting parties. The Samajwadi Party and the Congress have shared a "love-hate" relationship ever since Mulayam Singh Yadav refused to support Ms. Gandhi's bid to become Prime Minister in 1999.

Mr. Surjeet has been trying to effect a rapprochement between the two parties. Last night, he took along both Mr. Amar Singh and Mr. Ajit Singh to attend the dinner meeting hosted by the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi. The Samajwadi Party on its part has decided to cast its lot with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and has made it clear that it will be guided by Mr. Surjeet both on the question of extending support and joining the government.

Though the Samajwadi Party has given its letter of support, there is ample evidence of the gulf that exists between the two parties. Mr. Amar Singh made the point that the Samajwadi Party has 36 seats in the 14th Lok Sabha and there is no way that it can be ignored. "Nobody can afford to ignore us," he said.

He said there were differences between the two parties, but made it clear that for the sake of keeping the Bharatiya Janata Party out his party had decided to support the Congress.

"There is no ego involved in it as the larger issue is the installation of a secular government at the Centre."

Mr. Amar Singh said that he had attended Sunday's dinner at Ms. Gandhi's residence to quell all speculation.

"Last night's meeting was a historic occasion for the secular polity in the country and I was proud of being present there," he said.

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