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Congress rules out mid-term poll, hints at new alliance

The Congress today ruled out the possibility of forcing a mid-term election and said the party would take a right decision at the appropriate time to overcome the crisis dogging the nation.

Spokespersons Ajit Jogi and Girija Vyas told reporters that the Congress is keeping a close watch on the fast-moving political developments. "We are a responsible party and we know our mandate," they said.

Though Jogi and Vyas declined to answer specific questions on who would form the government, sources said efforts are on to keep almost all the "secular" forces together.

They also maintained that differences in the Congress on the formation of a new government have been sorted out.

Taking strong exception to the statement of the Bharatiya Janata Party national executive blaming the Congress for all its failures, problems and predicaments, Jogi and Vyas said the BJP should blame itself for "inefficiency, non-governance, corruption and inept handling of the government".

The BJP should look within itself and its allies instead of blaming the Congress and making lame excuses, they said.

They also declined to spell out the party's strategy, saying it would be better to wait till Parliament reconvenes after the Budget session recess on April 15.

Sources said there is constant interaction among "like-minded parties" with the Congress on the emerging scenario, and pointed out that Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy met senior Congress politician K Karunakaran yesterday.

UNI

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