Dhindsa clarifies remarks on autonomy

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 10. The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, today clarified that he had not made any statement suggesting that the Punjab Assembly would adopt a resolution on autonomy for the State.

He said the Akali Dal's ``consistent stand'' was in favour of devolution of more powers to the States and that his comments were in tune with this. The issue had been well articulated in the Governor's address to the Assembly.

Mr. Dhindsa, who is the sole Akali Dal member of the Vajpayee Cabinet, pointed out that he could not have made any statement on any resolution to be adopted by the Assembly as ``taking such a decision does not lie in my jurisdiction.''

Mr. Dhindsa's statement, as reported in a section of the press, had caused consternation in the National Democratic Alliance, which is yet to recover from the damage caused by the autonomy resolution adopted by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. His clarification today has come as a relief to the Vajpayee Government.

Review Centre-State ties: RSP

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 10. The Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) has called for greater autonomy to States and said there is a need to take another look at Centre-State relations. However, it emphasised that such review must be conducted strictly within the framework of the Constitution.

The central committee, which met here over the weekend, criticised the successive Governments in New Delhi for ``centralisation'' and favoured a ``federal polity''. It urged the Vajpayee Government implement the Sarkaria Commission report on Centre-State relations.

The party criticised the autonomy resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly calling it an attempt by the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, to ``refurbish'' his image. It criticised the Centre for ``neglecting'' the State and denying its people their ``democratic aspirations''. ``The solution to the Kashmir issue lies not in imposing the Centre's will but in a threadbare discussion with all parties''.The central committee said the attacks on minorities, particularly Christians, was a matter of ``serious concern''. It attacked the Vajpayee Government for its ``silence'' and ``inaction'' and demanded action against those behind the anti- Christian campaign.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, senior party leaders claimed the Left Front's poor performance in the municipal elections in West Bengal would have no impact on next year's Assembly elections. They claimed the Left Front's base in the countryside was intact but admitted that there was an anti- incumbency wave in urban areas.

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