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'U.P. leadership no problem for Cong.'

By Javed M. Ansari

NEW DELHI JUNE 4. Opposition parties clamouring for a change of Government in Uttar Pradesh have decided to put aside the contentious leadership issue for the moment.

"The issue will be decided when the time comes to form an alternative Government, but choosing the leader will not be a problem," the new Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee chief, Jagdambika Pal, told the media this afternoon. "When the time comes to make the decision, the issue will be settled by our national leaders within a matter of minutes."

In the past, the issue has proved to be a bane for Opposition parties. In 1999, the Opposition failed to form a Government at the Centre after unseating the Vajpayee-led Government because of its inability to reach an agreement on the question of leadership.

Now, the Congress even appears to be reconciled to Mulayam Singh Yadav leading the alternative Government, having decided to joins hands with the Samajwadi Party in principle. By not giving too much importance to the leadership issue, the Congress is also setting a precedent which it hopes would be followed at the national level. Mr. Pal was confident of bringing down the Mayawati-led Government. "If the Governor gives us a chance, we will be able to prove our majority on the floor of the House within no time."

He gave the impression that the coming together of the Congress and the SP was a near certainty and it would pave the way for the formation of a secular front against the NDA. "This is a historic development and will have wide-ranging implications at the national level.''

He also charged the State Government with "fabricating the signatures" of some of the Independent MLAs. According to him, seven of the nine Independent legislators were opposed to the BSP-led Government and would vote with the Opposition.

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