Trinamool, TDP seek explanation

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 7. Two major supporters of the Vajpayee Government, one inside and one outside the Government, sought an explanation from the Prime Minister on his remarks on the Ayodhya dispute, especially the comment that the task of building the Ram temple had remained incomplete; and at least one party seems less than satisfied.

Ms. Mamata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress and Mr. Yerran Naidu of the Telugu Desam Party, met the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, after Parliament adjourned for the fourth consecutive day today to discuss with him the implications of what he said yesterday. Both the parties were clearly concerned about their own reputation of being ``secular''. The fact that they enjoy substantial support of Muslims was a key factor.

Later, Ms. Banerjee told reporters that she was satisfied that the Vajpayee Government will remain committed to the NDA agenda, but that was before the Prime Minister chose to expand on his yesterday's statement.

The TDP parliamentary party leader, Mr. Yerran Naidu, made it clear that there was absolutely no need for the Prime Minister to have said what he did; the remarks were ``unwarranted''. ``Whoever makes such remarks, no matter how high an office he may hold, such statements are bound to cause confusion, and they could have been avoided.''

As for Mr. Vajpayee's elaboration this evening, Mr. Naidu said he would reserve comment till he satisfies himself about the authenticity of the remarks.

Asked whether he was satisfied after the meeting with Mr. Vajpayee, he said, ``It was not a question of satisfaction. The TDP has been supporting the NDA Government from the outside. It is giving support to the NDA agenda.'' He indicated that the TDP will not shy away from raising this issue with the BJP. ``Even when Mr. Ram Prakash Gupta, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, had made certain statements about the contentious issue, we had asked the Prime Minister for a clarification.''

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