The Hindu Business Line : Sonia Gandhi elected CPP leader — Left's decision on joining Govt tomorrow

MOVING CLOSER TO TOP SLOT: The Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, addressing the newly elected MPs after being elected Congress Parliamentary Party leader on Saturday. - Kamal Narang

New Delhi , May 15

THE Congress President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, on Saturday was elected the leader of the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) and moved a "small" step closer to taking over as the Prime Minister of a coalition Government at the Centre for which cobbling efforts are still on.

While some of the partners in the Congress combine - who fought the elections together - have already handed in their letters of support, most of the other major secular-minded parties chose to sit on the fence for the second day today. The influential Left parties, for one, which have had a series of meetings, are yet to decide and are expected to announce their stand on Monday.

Shortly after being elected as the CPP leader - which was expected and, therefore, a mere formality - Ms Gandhi told waiting newspersons in Parliament House that a coalition Government led by her party would be in place very soon.

"Even as we provide a pivot for the coalition, it will be our earnest endeavour to respect and work closely with all our allies and partners," she said. Hinting at a `common minimum programme' (CMP) without referring to it as such, she said, "We will soon formalise a joint plan of action with them. This plan would outline our priorities, our policies and programmes as one cohesive view."

Addressing the newly-elected party MPs in the Central Hall of the Parliament earlier amid cheers and jubilation, Ms Gandhi said the people of the country had "decisively rejected the ideology of RSS and destructive and self-serving policies of the NDA Government. ... The people have also rejected politics of arrogance, personal attacks and negative campaign," she said.

Talking about the challenges that lie ahead, Ms Gandhi said the Congress would be working closely with its allies, and the coalition will look after the interest of farmers. "We have an enormous task ahead of us. The party has to work hard and be a catalyst for change and progress," she said.

At the CPP meeting, Ms Gandhi's name was proposed for the leader's post by Mr Pranab Mukherjee, and seconded by Mr Mahabir Prasad Yadav, among others. Later, senior party leader, Dr Manmohan Singh, announced that Ms Gandhi was elected unanimously.

Ms Gandhi later drove down to Banga Bhavan to meet the senior CPI (M) leader, Mr Jyoti Basu, and invited his party to join the coalition Government.

Meanwhile, top CPI (M) leaders met here during the day to decide whether to take part in the new Government headed by the Congress, or extend support from outside. However, as the final decision rests with the central committee, the party General Secretary and coalition mediator, Mr Harkishen Singh Surjeet, said: "No decision has been taken on CPI (M)'s participation. We will take the decision day after tomorrow."

The Communist Party of India (CPI), which has backed Ms Gandhi as the country's next Prime Minister, will decide on the issue on Sunday.

"The question is should we extend support to the Government from outside or should we also be a part of it. A decision in this regard will be taken at the conclusion of the party's two-day national executive meeting tomorrow," the CPI General Secretary, Mr A.B. Bardhan, told newspersons.

Among those that have already decided to join in is the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). The party's top leader, Mr Shibhu Soren, said his party would "definitely" be a part of the Congress-led Government at the Centre.

"Our alliance has wiped out the BJP in Jharkhand. So, we will definitely be a part of the Government," Mr Soren told newspersons while parrying questions on the number of ministers and portfolios that JMM would demand. The party leader also handed over the letter of support to Ms Gandhi during his 45-minute meeting with her.

The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) chief, Mr K. Chandrasekhar Rao, also met Ms Gandhi and handed over his party's letter of support. A major pre-poll ally in Andhra Pradesh, the TRS has secured five seats. Propagating for a separate Telangana State, Mr Rao said the decision on joining the Government would depend on the benefits the party would get for its cause.

"Whichever is advantageous, we will decide," Mr Rao said.