V.P. Singh backs Congress in polls

Nearly 15 years after he rebelled and toppled his parent party from power, former prime minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh yesterday announced his support to the Congress party in its bid to retain power in four out of five states heading for provincial polls.

Although Singh justified his decision using the famous 'TINA' (There Is No Alternative) factor, it is becoming clear that given his political isolation, Singh, 72, is drifting closer to his former party.

Over the past couple of years, at least half a dozen close allies of Singh have already joined the Cong-ress and it could just be a matter of time before he too returns. Some of his supporters, now senior members of the Congress party, include S. Jaipal Reddy, Subodh Kant Sahay, Wasim Ahmed, Meem Afzal, Srikant Jena and Mohan Prakash.

The point that he had already joined hands with the Congress party was not lost as he chose to hold a press conference at his Teen Murti Road bungalow on the day the party's regular briefing was not held.

"I am not going to join any political party. The Congress party to me is a compulsory compromise since it is the only party that is in a position to prevent the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from coming to power in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Delhi," Singh said.

As proof of having made peace with the Congress, Singh termed its national president Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin as a non-issue. He blamed the BJP for propping up emotional issues like the Ayodhya dispute and Sonia's origin to prevent debates on political or economic issues.

"No doubt she is of foreign origin, but she is not a foreigner anymore. She has become a naturalised Indian. Anyway, the BJP government which is going for globalisation of economy and appoints foreign consultants for disinvestment of its assets has no business raising questions about Sonia's origin every time elections are around," Singh said.

He appealed to voters to back the Congress during upcoming state polls saying splitting "secular" votes will only be tantamount to helping the BJP. He termed the Congress as a "weapon" with which he wants to shoot at the BJP.

He avoided a direct reply on whether he will extend his support to the Congress even during next year's general elections, saying it was still "far away". He also sounded vague on whether he will help the formation of a third front at the centre, saying he helped the opposition come together under the banner of the People's Front. "It broke and disintegrated for reasons I could not understand," he rued.

Singh praised the Supreme Court and the Election Commission for making all contestants file affidavits on their assets and criminal cases, saying it would herald the beginning of cleansing in public life.

He also demanded making amendments in the existing anti-defection laws, saying allowing defections by one-third elected lawmakers of any party is encouraging big money into politics. "People just don't vote for a candidate but also for his party. It's a breach of trust if he joins any other party. He should be made to re-contest if he wants to change his political allegiance," Singh said.