Congress today sought to put all its allies in good humour downplaying Trinamool Congress walkout in the Lok Sabha over NCTC issue and the threat by DMK to pull out of the government on the Sri Lankan Tamil problem. Will Congress Party gain by pandering to allies wishes? The AICC also signalled warming of ties with Samajwadi Party and chose to go soft on historysheeter Raja Bhaiyya's induction into Akhilesh Yadav's Cabinet in Uttar Pradesh. Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi also sounded triumphant over the Opposition's amendment on NCTC failing in Lok Sabha saying the voice of people shouting from rooftop about instability of the government stands defeated. "Trinamool Congress has clarified that they as a party absented themselves from the vote. It is wrong to suggest words like boycott or walkout. They have made it clear that while they may not agree with some particular policies,they do not want to disagree with the government. After what TMC has said,I do not think there is any need for Congress to come out with any other response," Singhvi told reporters. Earlier BJP leader Sushma Swaraj had said the government's majority claim has collapsed as the division on the NCTC showed that there were 227 votes in favour of the government,which was 45 less than the majority. Singhvi also refused to see any contradiction in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's stand on Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi's exit under Trinamool's pressure. "Prime Minister has said something for an outgoing colleague,who himself had tendered resignation. All that he said was as part of normal civilised conduct. He regretted a colleague's departure.. As far as these two dimensions are concerned,neither Congress nor Trinamool can have any objection to it," Singhvi said. Amid speculation of SP joining the UPA government,Singhvi used comments sparingly when asked about Raja Bhaiyya's induction into that party and explained the party's earlier attack on alleged goondaism during SP's rule as reference to the "previous regime". Though maintaining Congress does not support any taint in public life,Singhvi offered a caveat,saying the chief minister of the state has pointed out that allegations in the particular matter were baseless. Asked about Congress accusing Samajwadi Party of 'goondaraj' and 'aatankraj' during campaigning for UP assembly polls,Singhvi chose to make a distinction between SP in the past and the present. "One could have used the word for the previous regime. The new government has taken place just two days ago. To say that our comments were for the government in future is akin to making a political statement," Singhvi said. The Congress spokesperson at the same time evaded questions on the possibility of SP joining the government. "The decision about any alliance between the two parties and the depth of their relationship is taken by parties and not individuals. Such decisions are taken by respective presidents of the parties," Singhvi said when asked about the remark of party general secretary in-charge Digvijay Singh that he won't have any problem if Samajwadi Party joins the UPA at the Centre. A senior leader speaking on condition of anonymity made it clear that the nature of relationship that could evolve between the two parties could evolve after a few days. At the AICC briefing,Singhvi,did not divulge the party's stand on fare hike saying,"I am not here to answer hypothetical questions and pure speculation. Issues like this will be debated by elected representatives. It is then and there that these questions will be answered". To a pointed question on the controversy surrounding Dinesh Trivedi,Singhvi said,"Congress has nothing to do with it.This is either between the individuals concerned or the party." Singhvi also expressed happiness over DMK welcoming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's statement on the issue of Sri Lankan Tamils. He said the view that they will wait for the text of the resolution is right.
