Wednesday, Jul 16, 2003
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By Our Special Correspondent
Mr. Kumar insisted that he had put in his papers after considering the developments in the 14-member Samata Parliamentary party, with a majority of MPs turning against him. He said the development became evident at the party's national council meeting on Monday, when three MPs openly advocated the party to reconsider its decision to expel Raghunath Jha and Bramhanand Mandal on Sunday. Mr. Kumar, whose resignation was rejected by the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, on Monday said he was upset because even senior party MPs had demanded that the expulsion decision be reconsidered knowing well that the two party MPs had levelled charges of corruption against him. "I am not against any move to reconsider the decision, but there is a way. The decision was taken by the party's national executive, which is the empowered forum. It was not an issue for the national council that deliberates only on party policies and programmes," he told presspersons at his residence here. Instead of being insulted each day by party MPs, on whose strength he became a Minister, it was better to quit, he said. Meanwhile, the party president and Defence Minister, George Fernandes, ruled out reviewing the expulsion order, but expressed helplessness in addressing the problem of rampant indiscipline in the party. "Barring a handful, majority of Samata party members do not follow rules. They continue to freely comment both inside and outside the party and Parliament. There is no limit to this. If people are not willing to subject themselves to party discipline, what can be done... I have not been able to find a solution," he said. Mr. Fernandes said he had talked to Mr. Kumar last night and that would continue his efforts to persuade the latter to reconsider his decision.
`I have been vindicated'
Earlier denouncing the "acts of sabotage" leading to the derailment of four trains in Bihar last night, Mr. Kumar attacked his detractors who had "ridiculed" him for suggesting sabotage as a possible cause of the accident in the State involving the Rajdhani Express in September last year. A political storm was sought to be raised following his observations, which were based on expert assessment, he said. The derailments in Bihar were proof that saboteurs were active in the State and that there were reasons to believe prima facie that sabotage could have resulted in the Rajdhani accident. "I stand vindicated today in view of these four incidents of sabotage," he said. The Director-General of Bihar Police had confirmed that the four incidents were cases of sabotage. Mr. Kumar's observations had evoked a sharp reaction from the former Bihar Chief Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief, Laloo Prasad Yadav, who not only criticised Mr. Kumar but also accused him of politicking.
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