Congress Core committee discusses UP situation

New Delhi, Feb 16 (UNI) A meeting of the Core Committee of the Congress Party was held here today to discuss the political situation in Uttar Pradesh, including the possibility of imposition of President's rule in the state, in the wake of the disqualification of 13 BSP MLAs by the Supreme Court.

Senior party leaders Pranab Mukherjee, A K Antony, Shivraj Patil, P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal and Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Political Secretary Ahmed Patel attended the meeting held at the residence of Mr Mukherjee.

The Core Committee later discussed the issue with CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat.

CPI(M) sources told UNI tonight that the party was not in favour of imposing President's rule in Uttar Pradesh as the "right place for deciding the fate of the government is the floor of the assembly." Mr Karat reportedly told the committee members that the Centre could wait till February 26 when the Uttar Pradesh state assembly is slated to meet.

CPI leader D Raja said that his party was not consulted on the issue.

One of the ministers at the meeting told UNI that the political situation in UP would continue to be discussed at various levels and with other allies of the ruling UPA.

"We have not come to any conclusion on the issue so far. We have to consult everyone," he added.

He said the meeting discussed the details of the apex court's verdict.

The Core Committee also discussed the General Budget for 2007-08 with Mr Karat.

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