New Delhi, May 11: Congress today asserted that a non-NDA 'strong' secular government led by it would be in place at the Centre but was coy about Sonia Gandhi heading new dispensation. All indications and reports from state units at the end of the fourth and last phase of Lok Sabha polls suggest that "the BJP-led NDA has been rejected by the people in the polls and a non-NDA strong secular government led by Congress will be formed at the Centre," party General Secretary Ambika Sonia told reporters here. She, however, decided to answer the question whether Gandhi would head the government, saying, "I will reply to all your questions after May 13 when the results are announced and a clear picture emerges." As the president of the Congress party, Sonia Gandhi would have talks with the leaders of pre-poll allies as well as non-NDA parties outside the alliance for the formation of a secular government, she said adding the process had already begun with Gandhi holding talks with CPI-M leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet. She declined to divulge what transpired at their talks.


Bureau Report