CONGRESS CRISIS CONTINUES

NEW DELHI, July 17 (PTI)—The crisis atmosphere in the Congress following Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s action in divesting Mr. Morarji Desai of the Finance Portfolio remained unchanged tonight despite a hectic round of consultations throughout the day among the members of the High Command and other Party leaders. With the PM reportedly in no mood to revise her decision and an equally unchanged attitude of Mr. Desai in refusing to take back his resignation, there was no indication how the stalemate will end. The suspense over his exit from the Union Cabinet cleared this evening when the Deputy Prime Minister despatched a letter to Mrs. Gandhi reiterating that consistent with his self-respect he could not act differently from what he had done. It was not known whether the PM would advise the Acting President to accept his resignation. Political circles believed that she would wait for the outcome of the efforts of Congress President Nijalingappa, and other leaders, to bring about a compromise.