BJP's largest ally, Telugu Desam Party on Wednesday ruled out review of its decision not to join the Vajpayee-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) but hinted that it was keen on retaining the Lok sabha speaker's post. It is not a new decision. We will support NDA from outside and have not joined NDA. There is no reason for a review," TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu told reporters adding the party would extend support to the coalition government at the Centre "without any condition". Replying to questions, he said the TDP support to Vajpayee government was not issue-based. Asked whether he considered NDA as secular, Naidu said the alliance had given enough hints that it would abide by secularism. However, he added, his party would not join NDA and it had only seat adjustments with BJP in elections.

CPI to introspect poor show in polls

CPI on Wednesday said it would re-examine the tactical political line on the Left's failure to project a viable third alternative in the elections and introspect on its "disappointing" poll performance. Describing his party's election performance as "disappointing", CPI general secretary AB Bardhan told reporters in New Delhi that the Left parties had failed to carry out their main electoral aim of preventing BJP from coming to power. "We could not project a viable third alternative or a decisive Left Front," he said.

Bihar Cong wants end to pact with RJD

Senior Congress leaders from Bihar on Wednesday requested party president Sonia Gandhi to snap ties with the rashtriya Janata Dal in the state and appealed to her to assume the role of the leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha in the larger interest of the party. The request came when a delegation led by BPCC president Sadanand Singh and state CLP leader Ramashrya Prasad Singh met Gandhi in New Delhi. Soon after meeting the party president, the leaders from Bihar told PTI that BPCC had already passed a resolution requesting Gandhi to assume the post of leader of Opposition. "We have reiterated our demand," they added.

CWC to meet on Oct 23-24

A meeting of the Congress Working Committee is being held here on October 23 and 24 to analyse the election results. This was stated by All India Congress Committee general secretary Pranab Mukherjee to reporters after an informal meeting of the CWC which expressed full confidence in the leadership of party president Sonia Gandhi. The CWC meeting was held hours after Gandhi owned prime responsibility for the party's poor performance in the Lok Sabha polls and expressed her willingness to accept any action the party chooses to take.