A key meeting of the National Executive of the ruling Janata Party was held in New Delhi on Tuesday (11 July) as moves continued to patch up differences among the party leadership. Efforts were being made to bring about a reconciliation between Prime Minister Morarji Desai and former Home Minister Charan Singh. Mr. Desai sacked Mr. Singh 12 days ago following a mounting campaign of criticism against the Janata leadership by the ousted Home Minister.

SYNOPSIS: The crucial meeting of the National Executive took place in Annexed of Parliament House in New Delhi. Practically all government leaders attended the meeting, except those who have handed in their resignations. Mr. Rabi Ray, a key supporter of the ex-Home Minister quit as General Secretary to the party in protest against Mr. Singh's dismissal from the cabinet, last week.

Foreign Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was one of the delegates at the meeting that resolved to urge Mr. Singh to withdraw his resignations from the Party's Executive and Parliamentary Boards. Mr, singh replied that he would fully co-operate to heal the split in the party.

The Minister of Defence, Jagjivan Ram, was one of those seeking to heal the growing bitterness between Mr. Singh and Mr. Desai.

The meeting was chaired by Janata Party President Chandra Shekhar. Ex-Home Minister Singh's difference with Mr. Desai were mainly on the delay in taking action against ex-Premier Indira Gandhi on charges arising out of her emergency rule. His statement last month appealing for her immediate arrest and trial by a special court prompted his dismissal from the cabinet, more than a week ago.