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Congress to decide on backing central rule on Monday

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sharad Pawar today said the Congress would take a decision on whether or not to support the presidential proclamation dismissing the Rabri Devi government in Bihar, keeping in mind the party's interests and without jeopardising its prospects in that state.

In an informal chat with reporters at Madras airport before leaving for Pune, Pawar said a final decision on the matter was expected to be taken on February 22.

Pawar's statement signifies that if the Congress decides to have an electoral tie-up with the Rashtriya Janata Dal of Laloo Prasad Yadav, then the party may not support the official motion.

Parliament's ratification is necessary to validate the presidential proclamation and as the BJP-led ruling coalition does not have a majority in the upper house, the Congress's support for the motion is crucial.

UNI

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