MRS GANDHI’S LEADERSHIP IN JEOPARDY

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31306, 28 February 1967, Page 17

MRS GANDHI’S LEADERSHIP IN JEOPARDY

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) NEW DELHI, February 27. Congress Party leaders meet today to discuss Mrs Indira Gandhi’s future as Prime Minister amid mounting indications that she would be forced out as the world’s only woman Premier.

The party’s narrow win in Parliament and its defeat in half of the States has been sufficient to put her leadership in jeopardy.

A battle for the Premiership appeared to be coming between Mrs Gandhi and the former Finance Minister, Mr Morarji Desai. Some Congress leaders doubt that a woman can provide the strong and determined leadership that the party and the country will need in the difficult days ahead. But Mrs Gandhi has backing in South India which Mr Desai is less likely to command because he supports Hindi as the official language. Possible Contender Another possible contender for the Prime Ministership. Defence Minister, Mr Y. B. Chavan, is already in Delhi for meetings today of the Congress Parliamentary Board and of the Congress working committee, the party’s high command. The choice of a leader poses organisational problems for the Congress Party.

The new Parliament is not due to meet until April, when the new Congress members of Parliament would normally choose a leader. Cabinet Crisis But in view of the Cabinet crisis arising from the defeat of half the Ministers, the decision on reconstituting the government has become urgent, and it may be necessary to summon all new members to New Delhi immediately. With 500 results declared for the 521-seat House, the Congress Party had a comfortable—but not overwhelming—lead of 52 over the combined opposition. The standing was: Congress 276, Swatantra 43, Jan Sangh 35, Dravida Munnetra Kazagham 25, Samyukta Socialist 23, Communists 21, Pro-Peking Communists 19, Praja Socialist 10, Republic 1, Independents and others 47.

Rid of Disease.—British agricultural authorities are now satisfied that the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Hampshire has been eradicated. London, February 27.