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Vajpayee serves notice on National Conference

N Sathiya Moorthy in Madras

Prime Minister A B Vajpayee virtually served notice on the National Conference, saying it was up to the party to decide whether to continue in the National Democratic Alliance at the Centre, following the Union Cabinet's rejection of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly resolution on autonomy.

"There is no question of going back to the pre-1953 position," as demanded by the NC through the resolution, he told newsmen at Madras Airport.

The prime minister, however, clarified that there was no problem discussing "more political and financial powers for states".

He had told NC leader and J&K Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah at a meeting in New Delhi, "Devolution of greater powers to the states is also on the NDA agenda."

Likewise, the Centre was willing to discuss the Cabinet's rejection of the resolution in Parliament. "We are ready, if the Opposition is willing," he said, adding that a motion would be moved in Parliament, when it meets for the monsoon session later this month.

The prime minister also referred to differences among NDA allies from Tamil Nadu, on the Centre's handling of the Sri Lankan issue. He said he held discussions with NDA partners from the state and it has been the NDA's policy to resolve all conflicting issues through consensus.

However, indications are that the prime minister's serving of the notice on the NC applies as much to NDA constituents from Tamil Nadu, who have been taking stands not consistent with the Bharatiya Janata Party-NDA.

"There is no question of India intervening in Sri Lanka," Vajpayee asserted, restating the Indian position that the Sri Lankan Government must confer more powers to the nation's Tamils under a unified state.

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