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DATE=5/24/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249728
TITLE=INDIA POL (S&L)
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  IN INDIA, ITALIAN-BORN SONIA GANDHI HAS WITHDRAWN HER 
RESIGNATION AS CONGRESS PARTY PRESIDENT.  ANJANA PASRICHA REPORTS
FROM NEW DELHI, MRS. GANDHI'S DECISION ENDS A LEADERSHIP CRISIS 
FOR THE COUNTRY'S MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY. 
TEXT:  IT WAS A NIGHT OF LONG CELEBRATION FOR THE BELEAGUERED 
CONGRESS PARTY.  PARTY LEADER PRANAB MUKHERJEE ANNOUNCED LATE 
MONDAY, SONIA GANDHI HAS AGREED TO CONTINUE AS CONGRESS PARTY 
PRESIDENT, BOWING TO INTENSE PRESSURE FROM THOUSANDS OF PARTY 
WORKERS AND LEADERS.
THE CONGRESS PARTY PLUNGED INTO CRISIS WHEN MRS. GANDHI RESIGNED 
A WEEK AGO, AFTER THREE SENIOR LEADERS SAID HER ITALIAN BIRTH 
MADE HER UNFIT TO BE BE THE PARTY'S PRIME MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE 
IN THE SEPTEMBER ELECTIONS.
MRS. GANDHI TOOK OVER AS PARTY PRESIDENT LAST YEAR. THE PARTY WAS
RELYING HEAVILY ON HER TO GIVE IT A WINNING EDGE IN THE COMING 
ELECTIONS. 
                    /// REST OPT FOR LONG ///
CONGRESS PARTY LEADERS SAY MRS. GANDHI WILL PRESIDE OVER A KEY 
PARTY SESSION TUESDAY, WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY CONVENED TO DISCUSS 
THE PARTY'S LEADERSHIP CRISIS AND TO PERSUADE HER TO REVERSE HER 
DECISION. 
BUT MR. MUKHERHEE SAYS MRS. GANDHI DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE HELM 
OF AFFAIRS AFTER SEEING THE IMMENSE SOLIDARITY DISPLAYED BY 
CONGRESS WORKERS IN RECENT DAYS.
                      /// MUKHERJEE ACT ///
         WHAT I CAN GATHER [IS] THAT THE EVENTS OF LAST SEVEN 
         DAYS INCLUDING TODAY THAT CREATED AN IMPRESSION ON HER 
         MIND THAT PERHAPS AT THIS CRUCIAL JUNCTURE SHE SHOULD  
         NOT  LET DOWN THE CONGRESS MEN AND WOMEN.
                         /// END ACT ///
HOWEVER, POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY MRS. GANDHI NOW FACES A TOUGH 
CHALLENGE,  NOT  ONLY FROM HINDU NATIONALISTS, BUT ALSO FROM THE 
THREE DISSIDENTS WHO CHALLENGED HER LEADERSHIP. 
THE DISSENTING LEADERS HELD DISCUSSIONS IN NEW DELHI MONDAY ABOUT
THE FORMATION OF A RIVAL POLITICAL PARTY.  THEY SAY THEIR PARTY 
WILL PROVIDE A NATIONAL ALTERNATIVE, AND THEY ARE TRYING TO WEAN 
SECTIONS OF THE CONGRESS PARTY TO THEIR SIDE.
THE REBELS ALSO SAY THEY WILL TURN MRS. GANDHI'S FOREIGN BIRTH 
INTO A MAJOR ELECTION ISSUE -- DEMANDING THE COUNTRY'S 
CONSTITUTION BE AMENDED TO ALLOW ONLY NATURAL-BORN INDIANS TO 
HOLD THE COUNTRY'S TOP JOB.   (SIGNED)
NEB/AP/WTW
24-May-99 2:14 PM EDT (1814 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.