JD(U) like-minded party, can be trusted on secularism: Congress

DELHI: Reacting to the expected exit of JD(U) from the NDA, the Congress on Saturday said, "JD(U) is like-minded party and can be trusted on secularism."

Meanwhile, to a question whether Congress would invite JD(U), Rahul Gandhi said he does not take decisions on inviting parties to join the ruling UPA at the Centre.

"These are internal matters of the Congress party. Frankly, these decisions are not made by me. These decisions are made by senior leaders of the Congress party. So it is not for me to give invitations to anyone," Gandhi said.

NCP welcomes JD(U) into secular fold

The NCP on Saturday said it welcomed JD(U)'s imminent separation from BJP and joining the secular forces. "We welcome JD(U) to separate from BJP and join secular forces," NCP leader DP Tripathi said, talking to reporters in Mumbai after a meeting of the state NCP, at which party supremo Sharad Pawar was present.

Asked whether he meant UPA or the "federal front" by secular forces, Tripathi said, "Yes, UPA coalition ... We are part of the UPA. We are not with any front. We are with UPA."

Earlier, addressing the party workers, Pawar said the UPA government had made progress on a lot of fronts in the last nine years. "There are lot of challenges. The truth be told, the main question is how the country is to be run. The Congress-led UPA government is in power for last nine years. We have made progress in many fields and raised the growth rate of the country," Pawar said.

"However, in politics, if those who have the responsibility of governing the country don't have enough numbers in Parliament, its repercussions are felt in governance. The world's view of looking at us changes.

"Unfortunately, TMC and DMK, our two allies, went away. When there are discussions of elections being held anytime, the administrative machinery slows down as far as taking decisions and implementing them is concerned," Pawar said.