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CPI(M) bid to help save the day for Deshmukh Govt.

By Mahesh Vijapurkar

MUMBAI JUNE 8. Despite its big differences with the tottering Democratic Front, the CPI(M), which has two MLAs in the Maharashtra Assembly, would opt for voting on the motion of confidence in the Vilasrao Deshmukh Government on June 13 but wants to discuss with both the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party "certain items'' which can be dealt with in the present policy framework. Simultaneously, sources said, the party would "try and use its influence'' on the recalcitrant Peasants and Workers Party to make it fall in line. This will be a big gain for the embattled Congress-NCP coalition Government.

The CPI(M) withdrew support five months ago fully aware that it would not lead to a collapse of the multi-party Government but it is now worried that the subsequent events have begun to turn the tide towards the "communal forces.'' Now, it sees the threat not only quite close but real and would like to use the option of abstaining "only as an extreme step.'' The Congress and the NCP are now set to discuss issues with both the CPI(M) and the PWP.

Having said that the CPI(M) is aware that the PWP, with its crucial five MLAs, is divided with the elders in the party like N.D. Patil and Ganpathrao Deshmukh — who resigned from the Government — are inclined not to precipitate matters but the younger ones like Jayant Patil, MLC, have reservations on backing the Government.

While this view of "support but with conditions'' emerged from the CPI(M) today at its State executive meeting, the Congress and the NCP decided to put their MLAs together in one place in Bangalore following "harassment by the BJP cadres in Indore, Ujjain and Omkareshwar.''

The BJP and the Shiv Sena too — though they have not been poached upon by the ruling parties for support — have put their MLAs in an apartment hotel here under the close watch and security provided by the Sena's own cadre. An attempt by one of the Congress defectors, Padmakar Valvi, to escape back to the party seems to have pushed the saffron alliance to this step.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, Vilasrao Deshmukh and his deputy, Chaggan Bhujbal, met the Governor, P.C. Alexander, along with Mr. Valvi's wife, child and brother and handed over a written complaint from the Congress MLA saying that he was "being confined'' by the BJP-Shiv Sena and that there were goons around but wanted "security to come and vote on June 13.'' The directions to the police from the Raj Bhavan, following this, was that the Commissioner, M.N. Singh, should visit the camp where the defectors are being kept and investigate and report to the Governor if Mr. Valvi was there of his free will or otherwise.

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