Cong rules out rapprochement with Natwar

New Delhi, Aug 10 (UNI) The Congress today ruled out any rapprochement bid being made by the party with former external affairs minister Natwar Singh who has been suspended from the primary membership of the party for indiscipline.

Seeking to downplay the meeting Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Pachouri had with Mr Singh earlier in the day, Congress Spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said, ''Rest assured, things stand where they are.'' The MPs were free to meet and chat with each other and one should not read between the lines in such meetings, he told reporters, adding it was wrong to jump to any conclusion.

Mr Singhvi pleaded ignorance about any meeting with the Prime Minister sought by Mr Singh in this connection.

Mr Singhvi said the process of disciplinary action by the party against the former external affairs minister for indiscipline was not yet complete. Suspension was only a part of the action and the final action was yet to be taken.

Replying to a question, the Congress Spokesman said Mr Singh had ceased to be a member of the CPP with his suspension. ''A person who is not a member of the Congress can't be a CPP member.'' Justifying Rajya Sabha Chairman's ruling rejecting Mr Natwar Singh's notice for breach of privilege motion, Mr Singhvi said there could be no question of privilege as there was no question of leakage of Pathak Inquiry Authority report by the PMO. ''It was a regrettable political move.'' However, the fact of the leakage was established as somebody from the media had leaked it ''which should be looked into''.

About the Prime Minister not being present in the Rajya Sabha at the time the ruling was given, Mr Singhvi said whether the PM was present or absent was irrelevant.

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