Opposition head tries to form new Govt

Press, 20 July 1979, Page 5

Opposition head tries to form new Govt

NZPA-Reuter New Delhi The Indian Opposition leader (Mr Yeshwantrao Chavan) has an uphill task today in mustering enough support to form a new Government.

Mr Chavan, previously unsighted in the battle for the Prime Ministership, surprised political commentators on Wednesday when he accepted a commission from President Sanjiva Reddy to end the country’s political crisis by creating a stable administration in four days.

The former External Affairs Minister wasted no time in calling on one of the main contenders for the Prime Ministership, the former Deputy Prime Minister, Charan Singh, and asking for ' his support, he said: “Our talks were encouraging.” Mr Singh, who resigned from the Government and formed the breakaway Janata (Secular) group, said he would consult his colleagues and inform Mr Chavan. Mr Chavan was also expected to meet leaders of the Communist and Socialist groups. But the President’s call to Mr Chavan was largely a formality and it seems unlikely he will be able to gather enough backing in the 544-member Parliament.

The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Jagjivan Ram), another main contender for the Prime Ministership, said it was normal courtesy on the part of the President to call upon the leader of the Opposition to form a new Government.

Mr Ram said that Janata “is the only party which can form a government.” Mr Ram’s chances were still being thwarted, however, by the caretaker Prime Minister (Mr Morarj) Desai) who resigned as Prime Minister on Sunday but has refused to quit the leadership of the Janata Parliamentary Party. Mr Desai, who is 83, claimed he still commanded a majority of the party, but at the same time, caused postponement of a crucial party meeting on Wednesday evening which had been expected to unseat him. Announcing his firm determination not to stand down Mr Desai, told his party colleagues: “I have to defend my honour.”