1.
GV DAY EXT PARLIAMENT HOUSE.
0.03

2.
MV PAN MR SWARAN SINGH ENTERS FOR CABINET MEETING
0.10

3.
MV PAN MR. CHAVAN ALONG CORRIDOR.
0.16

4.
MV MR. RAO ARRIVES
0.24

5.
SV NIGHT EXT VARIOUS CABINET MINISTERS LEAVE (4 SHOTS)
0.51

6.
MV PAN MRS GANDHI TO CAR
0.56

7.
MV MRS GANDHI INTO CAR AND AWAY.
1.08



Initials GL/V/JF/LAD



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A CRISIS MEETING OF THE INDIAN CABINET WAS CALLED ON WEDNESDAY EVENING (13 AUGUST) AS THE COUNTRY PREPARED FOR TOMORROW'S (SATURDAY'S) PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. THE CHOICE OF CANDIDATES FOR THE ELECTION HAS SPLIT THE RULING CONGRESS PARTY.

MRS. GANDHI'S OWN POLITICAL FUTURE AS PRIME MINISTER HANGS IN THE BALANCE, AND AT THE CABINET MEETING SHE MADE HER DEMAND FOR A FREE VOTE, THUS TURNING HER BACK ON THE OFFICIAL CONGRESS CANDIDATE, MR SANJIVA REDDY, WHO HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE RIGHT-WING "SYNDICATE" SECTION OF THE PARTY.

THE PREVIOUS DAY (TUESDAY) SHE HAD NEITHER SUPPORTED NOR OPPOSED SIMILAR DEMANDS FROM TWO OF HER MINISTERS, FOOD MINISTER JAGJIVAN RAM AND INDUSTRIAL MINISTER FAKHRUDDIN ALI AHMED.

THE CONGRESS SPLIT OPENED WHEN THE PARTY REFUSED TO NOMINATE MR. V.V.GIRI, THE CANDIDATE FAVOURED BY MRS GANDHI. HE IS CONTESTING THE ELECTION AS AN INDEPENDENT.

AT THE MEETING MRS GANDHI IS UNDERSTOOD TO HAVE RECEIVED SUPPORT FROM SOME MINISTERS. LATER SHE SENT A LETTER TO CONGRESS PARTY PRESIDENT S. NIJALINGAPPA SAYING SHE DID NOT THINK IT WOULD BE RIGHT TO ISSUE A WHIP DEMANDING THAT CONGRESS MEMBERS SHOULD VOTE FOR THE OFFICIAL CANDIDATE.

THE PRESIDENTIAL ISSUE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF SIGNS THAT CONGRESS MAY LOSE ITS PARLIAMENTARY SUPREMACY IN THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION. WHICH MUST COME BY 1972. IN THIS CASE IT WOULD BE THE PRESIDENT'S DUTY, HITHERTO UNUSED, TO DISSOLVE PARLIAMENT, TAKE SOUNDINGS AND SELECT THE PARTY TO FORM A GOVERNMENT.

THE VOTING ON SATURDAY IS BY SECRET BALLOT OF THE 4,137 CENTRAL AND STATE LEGISLATORS WHO MAKE UP THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORAL COLLEGE.