NC to join govt, says Farooq
Tribune News Service and agencies

SRINAGAR, Oct 8 — Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today said the National Conference (NC), with four Lok Sabha members, would join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre.

"The NDA is my party and I will join it," Dr Abdullah, who is also the NC President, told reporters here.

The NC, which gave outside support to the previous Vajpayee government, has increased its tally of MPs by one against three in the 12th Lok Sabha.

Asked whether his son-Omar Abdullah would be inducted into the Union Council of Ministers, the NC chief said it was the Prime Minister’s prerogative.

Mr Umar Abdullah, who has retained the Srinagar constituency, indicated yesterday that the party would join the NDA government, saying "there is every possibility" of the NC participating in the BJP-led coalition government.

However, NC General Secretary Sheikh Nazir Ahmad said the decision regarding party’s future course of action would be taken at its working committee meeting to be held within two or three days.

The Chief Minister hoped the new central government would last its full term and expressed confidence that the problems of Jammu and Kashmir would be looked into.

Dr Abdullah said the Kashmiris had decided their future once for all in 1947 by acceding to India and no power on the earth can separate the state from the country.

Rejecting a third party mediation to solve the Kashmir issue, he said the USA had no role play in Kashmir as it is an integral part of India.

Addressing a function organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Bank to inaugurate ‘anywhere banking facility’ through VSAT, he said, any attempt to internationalise Kashmir issue would prove futile and might convert Kashmir another Bosnia.

Referring to the arrests of almost all Hurriyat leaders, Dr Abdullah accused them (Hurriyat) of adopting a "pro-active" militant line and "running the show for their masters across the border."

Referring to sudden spurt in militant activity in the valley, he said "Pakistan after its humiliating defeat in Kargil had warned of another such attempt in other sectors of the state."

Also when the Army was moved away from borders to Kargil, a gap had emerged at the border from where militants infiltrated into the valley, Dr Abdullah said.

Referring to the security environment now prevailing in the valley, he said the Army had again been given control to tackle insurgent activities in the valley after the end of the Kargil intrusion.

The Chief Minister also said some measures are being taken at the border to plug suspected infiltration routes.

Finance Minister Mohammad Shafi and the Chairman of the bank were also present on the occasion.

Trinamool to join govt

CALCUTTA, Oct 8 (PTI) — Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee said today her party would join the BJP-led government this time though she was non-committal on her party formally joining the ruling NDA. Emerging from the meeting of the Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party, which was attended by all eight newly-elected MPs, Ms Banerjee said a unanimous resolution was passed extending support to Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee as Prime Minister. The copy of the resolution was being sent to President K.R. Narayanan.

To a question if she would press for the Railway portfolio, she replied it was the prerogative of the Prime Minister to distribute portfolios.

To a specific question whether the TC would join the NDA in the event of any direction from the President, she said: "If such a compulsion arises, we will not let down the people’s expectation.

CWC may meet on Oct 10

NEW DELHI, Oct 8 (PTI) — The CWC is likely to meet here on October 10 to analyse the party’s worst debacle in the Lok Sabha poll, party sources said today. This will be the first meeting of the CWC after the elections amidst the demand for induction of younger people into the party leadership.

Party spokesman Kapil Sibal said the Congress had secured major successes in three State Assembly elections and emerged in a better position to ensure responsible governance.

Voters in Karnataka and Arunachal Pradesh had clearly indicated a preference for the Congress and with these unambiguous results the party’s strength in the Rajya Sabha would continue.

Mr Sibal said the Congress was still a major force with all-India presence and it would bounce back and provide a stable government. Asked whether the Congress would remain in the opposition for five years, Mr Sibal said if the government did not fall on its own weight, we will continue in the Opposition .

The Congress was already in power in five states whereas the BJP was only in power in two states — UP and Gujarat.

Mr Sibal said though the Indian electorate had not given aunambiguous mandate in favour of the Congress, it had strengthened the checks and balances on the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

Recalling the state-wise forecast made by the exit polls, Mr Sibal said all those surveys had been proved wrong.

Mr Sibal said the Congress Parliamentary Party was likely to meet on October 10.

Meanwhile, a debate has started in the party whether Mrs Sonia Gandhi should take over as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

A section of the party feels that Mrs Gandhi should nominate a senior leader who has considerable parliamentary experience for the post instead of taking over the responsibility herself while making her debut in the Lower House.

Party sources said this section was of the view that the post of the Leader of the Opposition was a crucial one which required considerable felicity with parliamentary rules and regulations and an immediate response to situations arising on the floor. They feel that Mrs Gandhi should continue to be the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP).

However, Sonia loyalists feel that there was need for Mrs Gandhi to take over as the Leader of the Opposition to galvanise the party both within and outside Parliament.