The Hindu : National : Natwar yet to decide on joining NCP

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Monday, Nov 20, 2006
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Natwar yet to decide on joining NCP

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The former External Affairs Minister, K. Natwar Singh, said here on Sunday that he had not taken a decision on joining the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).

At a news conference, Mr. Singh said he would hold talks with NCP leader and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on his return to Delhi. "These are preliminary steps. We want to do things in a mature manner, and I have not set any deadline for myself," Mr. Singh, who is under suspension from the Congress, said.

Meets Karunakaran

On Sunday, Mr. Singh again met K. Karunakaran, who merged his Democratic Indira Congress (DIC-K) with the NCP last week. He met Mr. Karunakaran and his son, K. Muralidharan, here on Saturday. "A process has been started, and we wish to go step by step," he said.

He was certain that the middle of 2007 would see heightened political activity, particularly in the context of elections for the posts of President and Vice-President, and to the Assemblies of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and other North Indian States. The outcome of the Uttar Pradesh elections would have a great influence on the United Progressive Alliance partners.

Disciplinary notice

Mr. Singh said he would challenge Congress Disciplinary Action committee chairperson A.K. Antony to expel him from the party. In reply to the notice served on him by Mr. Antony to show why he should not be expelled, he made it clear that Mr. Antony had no moral right to expel him as he himself was expelled earlier for six years.

He expressed reservations over Mr. Antony's appointment as Defence Minister, saying he was a wrong choice for the job. The Defence Ministry was a highly technical and powerful one and the person holding the post should be capable of providing leadership, clarity and inspiration to the armed forces. Mr. Singh said he was not sure if Mr. Antony would be able to do all this.

The former Foreign Minister said the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao would take forward the process of normalising ties.

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