New Delhi, June 12: Congress today said there is no change in its opposition to the deployment of Indian troops in Iraq but would await "inputs" from the government during party chief Sonia Gandhi's meeting with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Sunday on the matter. The party was prepared for a "constructive approach" on the issue, it said.
"There is no alteration, dilution or change in our stand. Party president Gandhi's June 5th letter to Vajpayee is our open stand which is totally opposed to the deployment of Indian troops under any arrangements other than a UN command or as part of a multi-national peace keeping force that has an explicit mandate of the UN," party spokesman Abhishekh Singhvi told reporters. Stating that the party was "open to constructive approach" with the government on the issue, he said, "Let us first hear the Prime Minister speak to us, disclose the inputs. We will certainly deliberate upon it and let our views known."
Gandhi, who will have a meeting with the Prime Minister on Sunday on the issue, held consultations last night with her senior party leaders but the party kept its deliberations and outcome close to chest. The meeting with Vajpayee follows Gandhi seeking clarifications from Vajapyee on the government's "exact position" on the vital issue.
Nevertheless, party sources were of the view that situation has changed since Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's meeting with US President George W. Bush who is sending a team of Pentagon officials here to brief the government of India on the issue. Bureau Report