New Delhi, May 21: Prime Minister-designate Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi will not visit Sriperumbudur to pay homage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on his 13th death anniversary, party spokesman Kapil Sibal said today. Asked if Singh would accompany Gandhi to Sriperumbudur, the place where Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated, Sibal said "no one is going there, including Sonia Gandhi." It was widely speculated that Gandhi and Singh may visit the site before a Congress-led government is sworn-in, possibly tomorrow. Sibal, who made his maiden entry in Lok Sabha from Chandni Chowk parliamentary constituency, sought to dispel any fears of a rift between the partners over cabinet formation saying a strong government will be formed soon which will last its full term. "We will provide a strong and stable government which will last its full five-year term," he said adding there was no need to fear.

On RJD chief Laloo Prasad Yadav's conditions for joining the coalition government, he merely said "differences of opinion are part of the family."

"Laloo is a good man and he is head of a strong party," he said.

On difficulties in government formation or slow pace in cabinet formation, Sibal said "our roads are meant to travel at 40-50 kmph and are we are moving at that speed only. You will have an answer by tomorrow."

Bureau Report