Bosses angry over Bandhu's interview

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, DEC. 7.

The issue of the former Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee(I) president, Mr. Deep Chand Bandhu's, interview to the RSS mouthpiece ``Organiser'' against the Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dixit, and her Government, has invited the wrath of the party president, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, who is learnt to expressed her ``strong displeasure'' against Mr.Bandhu taking support of communal outfit to settle political scores.

Highly placed sources said Ms.Gandhi is understood to have sought a report from the Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dixit, and the party secretary in charge Delhi, Ms. Prabha Rau. The issue is also reported to have figured when Ms. Dixit, called on Ms. Sonia on Tuesday night.

Party insiders say Ms. Dixit apprised the Congress(I) president about the utterances of Mr. Bandhu who, in an unprecedented interview to Organiser, had criticised the functioning of the Sheila Dixit Government. The use of a Sangh Parivar platform by Mr. Bandhu, who is an MLA from Ashok Vihar, has embarrassed the party at a time when it is waging a struggle against the BJP and the Parivar's fundamentalist policies.

In fact, sources said what has annoyed the high command the most was that Mr. Bandhu had broken the peace and violated the party code by rushing to the press and that also a communal organisation. The leadership also suspects that some dissident leaders might be hobnobbing with the BJP and others opposed to the Congress(I).

During the meeting with Ms. Gandhi, the Chief Minister is reported to have apprised her about the crossing of disciplinary limits by a handful of party MLAs and urged the party high command to take appropriate action. She is also reported to have submitted a ``status report'' about the implementation of various policies by the Delhi Government and an update on the fulfillment of the election promises. Ms. Dixit is understood to have said that there was a need for absolute coordination between the party and the Government to ensure that their programmes were highlighted properly.

It is learnt that Ms. Gandhi also sought Ms. Dixit's opinion appointing a new PCC(I) chief. Although, the Chief Minister did not name anybody particular, she is understood to have urged Ms. Gandhi to appoint a person who was able to carry forward the policies and programmes of the Congress. Also the PCC(I) president should ensure that the party wing worked in perfect coordination with the Government.

Ms. Gandhi, it is believed, is holding consultations with party leaders for ascertaining their views before arriving at a final decision on the new PCC(I) president. She is understood to have told the Chief Minister that she would invited her for further consultations on the issue and indicated that a decision in this regard could be taken within this week.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bandhu has asserted that he had not given any interview to the Organiser or uttered anything against the Chief Minister, or her Government. It is attempt by the ``communal forces'' to defame him and tarnish his image.

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