Congress today downplayed demands for a Common Minimum Programme (CMP) for the UPA saying a small group will be constituted to consider the common points of the manifestos of the parties in the alliance. "A small group will be formed that will decide what are the issues in the manifestos of other parties which could be included," AICC general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters after the first meeting of the pre-poll alliance partners of the UPA here.
Asked about the issue of CMP raised by Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee in the UPA meeting, Dwivedi said that he will not comment on what she said in individual capacity in the meeting. "There was a consensus...This is not the first time, the UPA government is being formed," Dwivedi said, indicating that instead of CMP, there would merely be a small group to look into the issues which the allies have raised and promised in their manifestos.
Party sources said that the issue of including RJD, SP and LJP, who were part of the last UPA regime but were not pre-poll partners of the Congress, did not come up in the UPA meeting at the residence of party President Sonia Gandhi. Sources maintained that this effectively meant that the doors of the Cabinet are closed for RJD and SP.
Dwivedi parried questions on whether the SP and RJD will be considered for Cabinet berths. Asked about Cabinet posts to the pre-poll allies, the Congress leader said that it was the prerogative of the Prime Minister. "It is the prerogative of the Prime Minister. There is also the UPA chairperson. There was no disagreement on any issue in the meeting. There was no condition made by any party," Dwivedi added. He said it was natural that other parties (pre-poll alliance partners) will be consulted while Cabinet formation.
Referring to the first UPA meeting, Dwivedi said 17 leaders of 11 parties, including Congress, participated. These include the TMC, NCP, DMK, National Conference, JMM, AIMIM, Kerala Congress (Mani), Bodo People's Front, Muslim League and the VCK.
In the meeting, party President Sonia Gandhi stressed on the fact that a great responsibility has been given to the UPA to provide a strong and stable government. She sought the cooperation of the alliance partners for a strong and stable government that would work for the welfare of the people, especially the poor. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the alliance partners in the meeting that the government would continue and strengthen the flagship programmes of the UPA government. Internal security and communal harmony were listed as priorities by Singh.
Several allies like TMC chief Banerjee, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, JMM chief Shibu Soren, among others, stressed on the need to provide a strong and stable government that will work for all sections of society, particularly the poor. Congress praised Pawar for unconditional support to the UPA government. "This is welcome," Dwivedi said.