MRS GANDHI'S RESIDENCE, MR NIJALINGAPPA ARRIVING BY CAR, POSING WITH MRS GANDHI FOR PRESSMEN, LEAVING BY CAR AFTER, MRS GANDHI TALKING TO REPORTERS IN HER GARDEN.




Initials CG/VS/PN/SGM



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Background: INDIA'S PRIME MINISTER, MRS INDIRA GANDHI, MET YESTERDAY (FRIDAY) WITH MR S. NIJALINGAPPA, PRESIDENT OF THE RULING CONGRESS PARTY, IN AN ATTEMPT TO HEAL THE SPLIT IN THE PARTY.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE 75-MINUTE MEETING YESTERDAY, HELD OVER LUNCH AT THE PRIME MINISTER'S HOME, BOTH PARTIES WERE NON-COMMITTAL ABOUT THE OUTCOME. BUT TODAY (SATURDAY) MRS GANDHI SAID SHE SAW NO PURPOSE IN FURTHER TALKS WITH MR NIJALINGAPPA.

ACCORDING TO MRS GANDHI, A CERTAIN FACTION HEADED BY MR NIJALINGAPPA WAS DETERMINED TO CAUSE A SPLIT WITH THE CONGRESS PARTY. IT WAS NOT A STRUGGLE FOR POWER SO MUCH AS A DIFFERENCE OF OUTLOOKS, SHE SAID.

IN REPLY TO QUESTIONING FROM REPORTERS, MRS GANDHI SAID SHE WOULD NOT DISOLVE PARLIAMENT OR CALL NEW ELECTIONS.