Trust vote: RLD non-committal on backing Left

In its efforts to mobilise parties against the UPA Government for the July 22 trust vote, the Left on Thursday reached out to the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) but its chief Ajit Singh remained non-committal on the issue.

CPI General Secretary AB Bardhan drove to Singh's 12, Tughlak Road residence this morning to seek the support of the RLD and explained the Left stand on the government during their meeting which lasted about an hour.

"I have apprised him about our (Left) position. He explained his stand...It is not easy (for the RLD) to take a decision," Bardhan told reporters after the meeting.

Singh said he heard the views of "experienced and old friend" Bardhan on the recent political developments and that he will discuss with party colleagues the issues raised by the top CPI leader before taking a decision.

Bardhan said he discussed the current political scenario with Singh, the inheritor of the legacy of former prime minister Charan Singh who brought farmers to the national mainstream.

"He (Singh) will take his own decision," Bardhan said.

Asked why he was taking time to decide on the party line on the trust vote, the RLD chief said, "there is nothing wrong in taking decision a little late", adding that Bardhan has presented "some new facts".

Singh said both the leaders had a detailed discussion on what should be done and that he vote.

On nuclear deal, he said: "I'm against the nuclear energy but I never said that I am opposed to the deal. "Bardhan has provided some new facts... Let us discuss (before taking a decision)," he said.

To a question whether the Congress was resorting to "appeasement" tactics to ensure support of smaller parties, he said, "why only smaller parties, what about appeasement of bigger parties.

"In coalition politics, both the ruling and opposition parties try to align with as many parties as they can. There is nothing new in it."

On the Government proposal to name the Lucknow airport after his father, Singh said he welcomed it even though it was coming late.

He said he did not view the move as a Congress attempt to appease him before the trust vote. "I think it is a right decision taken a little late," Singh added.

Congress managers have already approached the RLD to ensure numbers on their side for the trial of strength.