Mumbai, Apr 24 (UNI) Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Prabha Rau today chose to downplay the comments of her party spokesman Sanjay Nirupam welcoming the decision of the High Court of striking down the dance bar ban.

Talking to reporters here after admitting BJP and NCP officebearers from Solapur and Bhandara districts respectively, Ms Rau said even though a spokesman is supposed to speak the party line, there could be diverse views within the party itself.

Mr Nirupam came in for criticism recently for his comments of welcoming the High Court decision and seeking a resolution to the issue of humanatarian grounds, despite the party which leads the coalition government was a party to the decision.

Ms Rau further said the High Court verdict is binding on all and there is no question of opposing it. ''Since the Government has decided to move the Supreme Court against the HC judgement, we support the decision being the ruling party. Similarly, the decision of the Supreme Court will also be binding on all'', she said.

When asked as to when the remaining Shiv Sena MLAs supporting Revenue Minister Narayan Rane would join the Congress, she said the decision would be taken after discussions within the party soon as the six week long budget session has concluded.

To a question about her party admitting NCP workers despite being coalition partner, she said each party had right to expand its base while at the same time adhering to coalition principles while in Government.

Ms Rau informed that the Congress-NCP co-ordination committee meeting is expected to take place tommorrow.

UNI MR SRS VP2008