The stability of the eight-month-old United Front government, unity among its leaders and the firm establishment of coalition politics in the country were common themes in the speeches of front leaders yesterday at the inauguration of the new office at 9, Akbar Road.
Front leaders saw no threat whatsoever to the government, since the situation in which the Congress had decided to extend support had not changed. Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, who chairs the front, asserted that doubts about the support of the supporting party, the Congress were misconceived.
From front convenor and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who spoke first, to Gowda, who spoke last, all the leaders pledged their commitment to the Front and stressed the need for them to work together.
Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal president Laloo Prasad Yadav said the United Front was like a joint family and that, under Gowda's able leadership, it would solve all its problems.
Leaders, including Gowda, said that internal differences were but natural within the Front, as it consisted of 13 different parties and that these should not be construed as signs of weakness. Gowda said that questions about the stability of his government should be dispelled by this show of unity. There is no question of disunity. In fact, our unity has been further cemented and reinforced, he said, adding that after having an office of its own, the ties between between all the constituents would get further cemented. Yadav said the ties obtained among the Front constituents were not of cement but made of metal. Others who spoke on the occasion included West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu, TMC chief GK Moopnar, CPI(M) general secretary HS Surjeet, home minister Indrajit Gupta, CPI general secretary AB Bardhan .
and chief ministers of Karnataka and Assam, JH patel and PK Mohanta respectively. Some front leaders also spoke of the achievements of the government. They pointed out the successful elections in Jammu and Kashmir and work towards achieving a federal set up.
However, Gupta expressed concern over violence in some parts of the country. He called for a political strategy to deal with the issue and said that he was open for dialogue without any precondition with any group.Lauding the performance of the government, Gowda said he had not brought heaven to earth. He, however, asked independent-minded people to judge for themselves the performance of his government with that of the previous one.
He said during his visits abroad all sections including the investors, industrialists and media were of the opinion that this government was going to deliver the goods. But in our homeland, suspicion and doubts still exist, he said.
