'Thackeray's remarks not worth condemnation'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 20. Mr. Bangaru Laxman, the BJP president, does not think that the statement of the Shiv Sena chief, Mr. Bal Thackeray, suggesting disenfranchisement of Muslims is worth noting or commenting on.

``Those are his personal views and it is not the first time that he has said such things,'' Mr. Laxman said dismissively, while talking informally to some correspondents at an Iftaar hosted by him at the BJP central party office here today.

When asked whether he would condemn such remarks, Mr. Laxman said that they ``did not deserve condemnation, nor did they deserve to be noticed.'' The implication was that such remarks should be treated with the contempt they deserve. But he maintained a silence when asked why the BJP had alliances with parties like the Sena if it had such contempt for the leader of his allied party.

Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Cabinet Minister, who was seated beside him, was more diplomatic, saying he had not read the statement and would not comment on it before reading it. However, when asked for his views on ``disenfranchisement'' he said directly that there was no question of taking away the fundamental right to vote from any citizen of this country which has been given by the Constitution.

Defending the holding of Iftaar which has now become a political ritual, Mr. Laxman said that it was an expression of ``bhaichara'' (brotherhood) during the holy month when ``Muslim brethren fast.''

Wearing a green ``topi'' embroidered with gold thread - a similar ``topi'' was worn by the Prime Minister who came for a short while and left just as the ``namaz'' began to be offered - Mr. Laxman insisted that statements such as those made by the party's ally, the Shiv Sena, ``will not affect his efforts to get the BJP to carry all sections of the people with it.''

Yet another Iftaar was hosted by the Communications Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, which was also attended by the Prime Minister. The Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, also put in an appearance at both places. A ``highlight'' at the Paswan Iftaar was the presence of some film personalities turned politicians - Ms. Jayaprada of the TDP and Mr. Vinod Kumar Khanna of the BJP.

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