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BJP's UP defeat mandate against POTO: Congress

Shahid K Abbas in New Delhi

The Congress party on Monday described the defeat of the BJP and its allies in Uttar Pradesh as a mandate against the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance and demanded the National Democratic Alliance government to review its position on the controversial ordinance.

"We think POTO, as a piece of legislation, has not been favoured by the people at all and in view of these election results it would be in the fitness of things if the NDA government reviews its position on POTO," party chief spokesman S Jaipal Reddy said.

Reddy recalled that every national leader of the BJP made POTO his main theme.

"Now look at the BJP. It has finished third, even behind the BSP. We, therefore, think that POTO has not found favour with the people at all," he said.

Disclosing that the Congress party, late on Sunday evening, held an informal meeting of the Congress Working Committee members available in Delhi to discuss the election results, Reddy said that the leaders expressed satisfaction at the results, while they also deliberated the situation in Uttar Pradesh.

"It was a case of preliminary stocktaking. Our discussion on UP was non-conclusive," he said.

He added that the party leaders may meet on Tuesday to decide on what could be done in UP.

Making it clear that the Congress would oppose any combination that would make an attempt to make a government in UP with the help of the BJP, Reddy said, "Our ideological objective would be to see that the government is not formed by the support of communal forces."

"This is our basic approach and within the framework of this approach we will evolve our own strategic line," the spokesman said.

Asked to explain as to who were the parties the Congress considers communal, Reddy said, "We do not consider anyone communal other than those associated with the BJP."

When asked to explain his party's tie-up with the BSP in the last assembly election, even after the latter had earlier formed a government with the support of the BJP, the Congress spokesman said, "We don't want to enlarge the list of untouchability."

Responding to a separate question he said that the Congress party had its reservations vis-à-vis former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh's party because Singh was 'privy to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya'.

Answering a question on whether Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav had approached Sonia Gandhi, Reddy said, "As of yesterday (Sunday) there was a message on behalf of the Samajwadi Party leader, but no contact could be established as the Congress president Sonia Gandhi had other engagements."

Responding to a question on the governor's position and the role he could play in government formation, Reddy said that the courts have clearly laid down the position.

"I think the governor should take a decision as soon as possible," he said.

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