The Congress was thrown into turmoil yesterday after senior leaders exhorted party president Sitaram Kesri, reportedly on behalf of Sonia Gandhi, to focus on the role of the PV Narasimha Rao government and controversial godman Chandraswami in refusing to submit certain documents to the Jain Commission, investigating the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.
Earlier this week, CWC member Arjun Singh wrote to Prime Minister I K Gujral, requesting that documents, including cabinet notes pertaining to the Rao government, be submitted to the Jain panel. The Rao government had turned down the demand, saying the papers related to vital security aspects of the government.
If Kesri agrees to adopt Arjun Singhs stance, there could be a split in the Congress. Most senior party leaders, including Kesri, were members of the Rao cabinet.
There was an uneasy stillness in the Congress as leaders wondered if Sonia might indicate her willingness to campaign for the party, perhaps during ceremonies related to the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru today. Most leaders were pre-occupied calculating how many legislators and CWC members were likely to side with whom in various scenarios.
If the Congress adopts the Sonia line, it could be forced to support the motion of no confidence the BJP plans to move in the winter session. Even senior BJP sources yesterday said the Cong- ress would probably withdraw support before the vote came up.
However, the atmosphere was cordial at a dinner hosted by Gujral for Kesri, Arjun Singh and other senior Congress leaders last night. The government also announced that it would table the interim report of the Jain Commission as well as the action taken report in Parliament on November 19.
There is no attempt to shield anyone, Union home minister Indrajit Gupta told reporters in the capital yesterday. Our intentions are quite clear. We are going to table the Commissions report ... on the floor of the House.
