Congress has no plan to bring any ordinance: Pranab Mukherjee

Kolkata, Mar 26 (UNI) Describing BJP's claim ''totally baseless and untrue'', Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee here today categorically denied that the ''Congress has any plan to bring any ordinance'' after abruptly ending parliament session.

''We never thought of any such ordinance and are not even thinking of bringing it in the near future'', Mr Mukherjee said while speaking to reporters here after releasing an audio cassette to start off the party's poll campaign in West Bengal.

Claiming that Ms Gandhi's resignation from the Lok Sabha as well as from the Chair of Advisory National Council has'' introduced a new element of trustworthiness and values in Indian politics'', Mr Mukherjee, who is also the West Bengal Pradesh Congress President, said. It would definitely have a major positive impact in determining the results in all the five states, including West Bengal, which are going to the polls next month, he said.

''This would receive a futher boost when she (Ms Gandhi) and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would come here to participate in the poll campaign,'' Mr Mukherjee said adding however, dates of their visit were yet to be finalised.

Describing the ruckus created by the BJP after the budget session of Parliament was brought to an abrupt end by the ruling Congress, as 'totally uncalled for', Mr Mukherjee claimed that a unanimous all party resolution was already taken much earlier to end the session on March 21 since all major businesses of the house were completed by then.

''It had nothing to do with any ordinance,'' the Defence Minister asserted and squarely blamed the BJP for confusing the whole nation and trying to gain ''unnecessary political mileage'' out of it.

About the party's poll strategy in West Bengal in the wake of late announcement of party candidates in 257 seats, where the Congress had decided to fight in the 294-member house, Mr Mukherjee agreed that it might have some negative impact on party supporters.

''But we are hopeful that our supporters would understand the problem facing in accomodating all and would not turnaround,'' he said.

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