Miscellaneous - This Day That Age

dated April 18, 2002: Morarji Desai Elected Leader

Mr. Morarji Desai was unanimously elected Leader of the Congress Party in the Bombay Legislature at a meeting held on the 16th under the presidentship of Mr. B. G. Kher. Taking the chair after his election, Mr. Desai said he was grateful to the members of the party for the confidence they reposed in him. He was deeply indebted to Mr. Hirey for his generous and affectionate sentiments. When he lost his election to the Bombay Assembly, Mr. Hirey had come from Nasik to tell him that he should not retire from parliamentary activities and that he should continue in the party and take up the leadership. Mr. Desai said he would strive his best to maintain the reputation of the Congress party and that of the Bombay Cabinet earned under Mr. Kher's leadership. It would be impossible for him to improve on Mr. Kher's record, and he would consider himself very lucky if he was able to maintain the tradition built by Mr. Kher. Mr. Morarji Desai called for unity among the members of the party and said: "If we are jealous of each other, I will feel unhappy. I would advise you to pray for the good of all and not be selfish. Interested persons may try to create dissensions. If you have any doubt in your mind, you should immediately verify the facts and not believe rumours. Speak frankly and freely at our party meetings. I know that I am regarded as being too harsh in my expressions. The simple fact is that I always speak openly what I feel and believe."

Warning to Malan

General Jan Smuts's successor as Chief of South Africa's United Party, Mr. J.G.N. Strauss, warned South African Premier Dr. Daniel Malan's Nationalist Government that if it created anarchy and used force, the people would be compelled to meet force with force. Mr. Strauss issued the warning after announcing an alliance with the Labour Party and the Torch Commando (an ex-servicemen's organisation) to uphold the Constitution."The country is now faced with a grave situation", Mr. Strauss said.

"If the people stood together, an election might come sooner than expected. On the other hand an election might not come for a year or so. Once the United Party is returned to power, it will try to build the country. We will start large-scale immigration."

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Miscellaneous

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• The Hindu Crossword 7341
• Solution to puzzle 7340
• Ramanuja's three outstanding works
• dated April 18, 2002: Morarji Desai Elected Leader
• Weather

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu