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Cong. leaders to meet PM

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JULY 28. Rumblings over the political developments in Arunachal Pradesh were heard both inside and outside Parliament today, with the Congress accusing an insurgent group, with whom the National Democratic Alliance was holding peace talks, of involvement in the toppling game.

Expressing concern over the manner in which the operation was carried out — "by pressure and inducement" — the Congress announced at a press conference that a delegation of its senior leaders would call on the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, tomorrow and convey to him the party's assessment of the "deteriorating conditions" in the northeast, especially in the sensitive border State of Arunachal Pradesh.

"It is our charge that the BJP-led Government here has been playing with fire in these (northeast) parts... If the Governments in these States are destabilised for petty political gains, it is not the Congress party's loss alone. Our country has a lot at stake there," the party's chief spokesperson, S. Jaipal Reddy, said.

The move against the Mukut Mithi-led Congress Government in Arunachal Pradesh was raised forcefully in the Rajya Sabha by the Leader of the Opposition, Manmohan Singh, and his senior colleagues, Arjun Singh and Pranab Mukherjee.

Verbal clashes with the ruling coalition benches at one time led to a brief adjournment of proceedings.

Mr. Arjun Singh said a "subtle and sinister" game was being played out in the northeast. "No Prime Minister can shirk responsibility for attempts to change the political map by certain elements with whom peace negotiations are on. Is it coincidental that this effort was accelerated when Mr. Mithi complained publicly about the border situation? The Prime Minister should be aware of what some of his colleagues are doing to get political advantage," he observed.

The Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, said the charges of the involvement of Central functionaries were "baseless" and pointed out that it was unfair to drag the Prime Minister's name into the issue. "Political changes take place all the time, more so in the northeast. It is baseless to put the responsibility on the Prime Minister. It is wrong to allege the involvement of Ministers."

Mr. Mukherjee said political turmoil in any other State would have been condoned but in this case an outlawed group — which was taking part in peace talks with New Delhi — was creating political instability. "This is not merely an internal matter. It is closely linked with territorial integrity. A decision should not take place in drawing room of the Governor by a head count. This is unacceptable."

Later at the party briefing, Mr. Reddy said that Mr. Mithi had been writing both to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister about the disruptive activities of a Naga group, particularly in two districts of Tirap and Changlang. The Congress MLAs of these parts were under "pressure" from these groups, he said.

However, the Congress reiterated it was not opposed to the peace process or talks with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) and stressed that there was a need to engage people from democratic groups.

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