Congress loyalists plan new `morcha'

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, NOV. 10. In a day of fast moving developments, Independent MLA, Mr. Mateen Ahmed, supporting the Congress(I) in the Vidhan Sabha, floated a new outfit, ``Delhi Vikas Morcha'', and pledged to oppose the anti-minorities and anti-OBC stand of DPCC(I) president, Mr. Subhash Chopra, and his colleagues who are tarnishing the image of the party and the leadership.

On the other hand, nearly 40 loyalist MLAs, led by Mr. Shadi Ram, demanded casting of open ballot for the election of the party president at the national level on November 12. At a meeting of the loyalist MLAs, it was decided to seek a open ballot so that it would be clear as who all had cast their vote for Ms Sonia Gandhi, whom, Mr. Ram, described as the undisputed leader of the party.

Addressing the MLAs, Mr. Shadi Ram, said there was no need to hold a secret ballot as all true Congressmen would vote for Ms. Gandhi, who was the only leader who could steer the party at this crucial hour. Reposing strong faith in her leadership, he said the eyes of crores of people were on Ms. Gandhi, as the present NDA-led Government had failed to provide relief or succor, especially to the poorer sections.

Mr. Shadi Ram said there was no doubt that Ms. Gandhi will emerge victorious. This would be a new chapter in the history of the Congress and change many a political equation in the country.

Meanwhile, in an interesting development, the former Congressman, Mr. Mateen Ahmed, vowed to fight the autocratic style of functioning of Mr. Chopra. Taking a pledge at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, at the Delhi Vidhan Sabha, Mr. Ahmed said the DPCC(I) chief had done great injustice to the minorities and the OBCs by denying them their rightful place in the delegates list.

While reiterating that Ms. Gandhi was the only leader who could take the party out of the woods, Mr. Ahmed said she was the only leader who could bring it back to power at the Centre. ``There are certain vested interests in the party which are out to damage her image by their biased actions. They are conspiring to distance the Congress from the minorities and the OBCs which would not be tolerated,'' he remarked.

Taking a swipe at Mr. Chopra, Mr. Ahmed said that he had played into the hands of certain selfish senior Congress leaders and thus done great harm in the process. There was need to take stock of situation and the high command should take note of this anti- minority stand.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Other States
Previous : Accountability clause missing in MOUs
Next     : 'Huge support for Sonia in Rajasthan'