New Delhi, Nov 22: The chances of rapprochement between the belligerent Congress and the United Front (UF) receded on Saturday with both sides taking a harder stance on the Jain Commission fallout. The country seemed to be inexorably heading towards a mid-term poll.

Even prime minister Inder Kumar Gujral spoke of a "mid-term poll round the corner" at a function in Calcutta while Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and Sonia loyalist Arjun Singh debunked any meaningful talk of "re-alignment of political forces" for continuance of the present Lok Sabha. His colleague Pranab Mukherjee also asked his partymen to prepare for elections.To make matters worse for any possible meeting ground for the two sides, Janata Dal leader and UF ideologue VP Singh scoffed at the Jain Commission report as "false and motivated" describing it as "just a rehash of the Congress affidavit" submitted before the commission.Even so, Congress president Sitaram Kesri was till late Saturday evening still waiting for the official response from Gujral about his party's ultimatum demanding sacking of three DMK ministers as a condition for continuing its support to the UF. At the same time, the UF quarters steadfastly maintained its position that there was no question of dumping the DMK.

As things stood late Saturday evening, the country seemed to be inexorably moving towards a mid-term poll with no formulae in sight. Significantly, the prime minister on Saturday directed the Election Commission to call an all-party meeting to discuss ways to check criminalisation of politics. He asserted that "a UP like situation" would not be allowed to recur at the centre.On its part, the Election Commission did call a meeting on Saturday of the three election commissioners to discuss the extent of poll preparedness, it is learnt. Sources said the commissioners would meet again on Monday.The inevitability of a mid-term poll was also reiterated by the left parties which held the view that there was no other option in sight.

Addressing newspersons in Bhopal, CPI(M) general secretary Harkishan Singh said a mid-term election was the only solution. "It does not appear possible for the Congress to climb down from its stated position", Surjeet said, according to reports reaching here.The CPI central secretariat issued a statement here on the same lines. Rejecting the possibility of a non-DMK, non-BJP government at the centre, the party said it was "another way of dressing up the Congress demand that the DMK be dumped".

In the light of these developments, UF spokesman and information and broadcasting minister Jaipal Reddy's statement that "doors are not slammed for negotiations" appeared to be a mere formality. Tamil Manila Congress (TMC) chief GK Moopanar held discussions with senior Congress leader K Karunakaran here, giving the impression that operation salvage was still on. But nothing concrete came out of the meeting, sources close to Moopanar said.

Veteran Marxist leader and West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu and Gujral held brief consultations in Calcutta but without any result. Basu himself is credited with the view that a mid-term poll was the only solution. In town now, Basu is likely to discuss the matter with other UF colleagues, sources said.

Sunday is likely to be crucial with Kesri slated to hold a CWC meeting in the evening by which time he expects the UF to send its official response to the Congress demand. Judging by the mood in Congress, the party appears all set to go ahead and withdraw its support.

Obviously predicting this scenario, the BJP has called a meeting of its office-bearers on Monday morning to take stock of the political situation and chart out its course of action. The final denouement is expected on the floor of Lok Sabha on Monday when Gujral, according to sources, may seek a vote of confidence, unleashing a no-holds barred debate leading to his collapse.

Rashtrapati Bhavan is simultaneously getting ready to act with President KR Narayanan busy consulting his advisors, including constitutional experts. Sunday is likely to be crucial with Kesri slated to hold a CWC meeting in the evening by which time he expects the UF to send its official response to the Congress demand. Judging by the mood in Congress, the party appears all set to go ahead and withdraw its support. Obviously predicting this scenario, the BJP has called a meeting of its office-bearers on Monday morning to take stock of the political situation and chart out its course of action. The final denouement is expected on the floor of Lok Sabha on Monday when Gujral, according to sources, may seek a vote of confidence, unleashing a no-holds barred debate leading to his collapse.

Rashtrapati Bhavan is simultaneously getting ready to act with President KR Narayanan busy consulting his advisors, including constitutional experts.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.