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Pm Candidate Cong Choice, Says Rlm

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BSCAL

Amar Singh, spokesman of the National Democratic Front, yesterday said it was up to the Congress to decide who should be its prime ministerial candidate in the event of the BJP-led government collapsing.

"If they choose anyone, what choice do I have?" he said. Whether the Congress chooses Sonia Gandhi "is an internal matter", he added.

On senior Congress leader Sharad Pawar's recent statement that the Congress' likely allies would have a say in deciding who should head an alternative government, Singh said, "We don't subscribe to his point of view."

On former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar's statement that Gandhi would not be acceptable as Prime Minister, Singh said it was his personal view and the front had nothing to do with it.

 

The front was firmly focused on the need to oust the BJP, he said. "We are not supporting the Congress but an alternative government. Since the Congress is the only alternative, supporting it is a necessary political compulsion."

On the possibility of Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav leading an alternative government, Singh said, "We are not greedy for the prime ministerial slot."

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First Published: Aug 19 1998 | 12:00 AM IST

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