By IRNA,
Srinagar, India : Savoring every bit of the sudden importance of every single member in the vote of confidence for the central government, the National Conference is taking its time about deciding which way to vote in the floor test on which hangs the future of the Congress-led UPA dispensation.
After being reduced to a minority by the withdrawal of its Leftist allies, the UPA government needs every vote it can get to keep it afloat, and the two NC members in the Lok Sabha could be crucial for its survival.
In 1999 BJP government of the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, was brought down by a single vote from NC MP, Saifuddin Soz, who voted against the party whip in the vote of confidence.
Fully aware of its pivotal role, the NC is keeping its cards close to its chest, adding to the suspense of the central government which is still precariously poised despite the newly garnered support from Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party.
The National Conference has authorized party president, Omar Abdullah, who is one of the two NC MPs in the Lok Sabha, to decide whether or not to support the Congress-led UPA government at the centre in the vote of confidence on July 22.
The UPA government was reduced to a minority after its key Leftist allies withdrew support over the contentious Indo-US civilian nuclear deal.
Reports in Srinagar said that Omar Abdullah chaired a meeting of the NC’s core group at his Gupkar Road residence Wednesday.
Senior NC leader, Abdul Rahim Rathar, said that prime minister, Manmohan Singh, has to prove his majority in a floor test in the parliament on July 22.
He said that the NC’s core group discussed the issue during a one-hour meeting chaired by Omar Abdullah Wednesday, and all members of the group apprised the party president of their opinions.
The meeting ended with the consensus that the authority to take a final decision on the issue would be vested with Omar Abdullah, who would give his verdict in the coming days.
“His decision will be final and binding,” Rathar said.
In reply to a question, Rathar said that Omar would give his decision within the next two days, and the issue would be decided in light of the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
When asked about Omar’s views during the core group meeting about which way the party should go, Rathar said that the former had kept his opinion to himself while other members had given their suggestions.
“Omar’s decision will be final,” he said.