Housing The Steerers

HAS the United Front Steering Committee finally found a home for itself? The long-standing demand of various constituents, especially the communists, for an alternative to the Prime Minister’s house as a meeting place was conceded in principle by Deve Gowda a few months ago. But it is only after the November 20 meet that the leaders have zeroed in on 9, Ashoka Road as an option. "The building is vacant and seems suitable for setting up the Steering Committee secretariat, though some of the leaders have yet to see and approve it. But I don’t think that will be a problem," says a senior Janata Dal functionary.

CPI leader D. Raja says that his party is happy that the committee can finally get down to regular meetings and once the organisational aspects are thrashed out, the secretariat will start functioning on a full-time basis. "After all, the UF leadership is clear that all major policy decisions will be placed before the committee for approval," he notes.

And CPI(M) General Secretary H.K.S. Surjeet feels "now that the building has been found, the Steering Committee will take an even more active role and many points, which could not be raised due to a paucity of time at the infrequent meetings at the Prime Minister’s residence, will now be taken up by us".