Congress downplays division in party on reservation

New Delhi, May 1 (UNI) The Congress today sought to downplay division in the party and government on the issue of OBC reservation in central universities and elite institutions, saying that such complex issues would evoke different view points.

''Each can have valid views,'' AICC Spokesman Abishek Manu Singhvi told mediapersons when asked about the statement of Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi adopting a middle path on the vexed issue.

On the spat between Human Resources Development MInister Arjun Singh and Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal, Dr Singhvi said Mr Sibal had already clarified his position that he did not talk about reservation and only talked about excellence in institutions of higher learning.

''It is a closed chapter,'' he said, adding ''the issue is no longer alive.'' Asked if the fight of Mr Arjun Singh against the RSS was a ''personal fight,'' he said "there is a defamation case brought against Mr Singh by the RSS. ''Defamation is always personal. So it is a personal case.'' While launching a fresh broadside against the RSS, Mr Arjun Singh vowed yesterday to devote all his strength to expose the organisation and sought the civil society's support in this task.

He said he had filed an application in a Haryana court on April 8 for speedy hearing in a defamation case filed against him by the Sangh in 2004 so that he could bring out the truth about the saffron outfit.

UNI SH SC ND1842