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18 Congress MPs

back no-trust

move against Rao

NEW DELHI: At least 18 Congress MPAs are reported to have signed the no-trust motion being moved against Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao's government by the splinter Congress group.

The group described as breakaway Congress is being led by veteran Congress leader from Uttar Pradesh Narain Dutt Tiwari and Arjun Singh. They later openly revolved against Rao's style of functioning both as prime minister and party chief last year.

Being arch rivals both Congress leaders announced the formation of their Congress at a convention early this year. Though they insist on calling their group as original Congress (I) but is now described as breakaway Congress to differentiate between the ruling Congress led by Rao and the Congress in opposition headed by Tiwari.

Among the 18 Congress MPs who reportedly are backing the no-trust motion obviously some belong to treasury benches for the breakaway Congress, according to media reports, does not command the loyalty of more than a dozen MPs.-APP