BJP absolves Govt., attacks Cong.

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 24. The political resolution adopted by the Bharatiya Janata Party's national executive committee today almost entirely focussed on the aftermath of the Tehelka episode, and as expected, took the line that it was part of a larger conspiracy. The Congress, it said, could hardly claim high moral ground and the ``truth'' about the episode would be established.

The three-page resolution was a declaration of faith in the BJP- led Government and the leadership of the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee. It ended with a quote from the Prime Minister's address to the nation after the resignation of Mr. George Fernandes as Defence Minister, which admits to the dirt in the system needing to be cleansed, a resolve to get to the truth through an inquiry and the promise that the problem will be converted into an opportunity to make the country stronger and cleaner.

But there were some glaring contradictions. While the general- secretary, Mr. Narendra Modi, virtually declared the Vajpayee Government innocent, the resolution quoted the need to ``clean up the dirt that has come into view''. The BJP continued to maintain that it was a party with a difference, a party with a mission, and was resolved to deliver a clean and transparent administration.

The only concession it made was in calling for ``introspection within the party.'' The Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, intervening during the discussion on the political resolution, said the party must ``look within and counter the negative influences that have gained ground within the organisation.''

Mr. Advani's ``explanation'' for the effect of the ``expose'' was that the people used to Congress scams would have ignored wrongdoings of that party, but ``they are deeply dismayed at seeing the image of the BJP being sullied.''

The resolution made an all-out attack on the Congress and took exception to the remarks at the Bangalore AICC session that corruption in the Defence Ministry amounted to ``treachery''. The BJP detailed the ``history'' of scandals related to Congress governments, and naturally, Bofors took the pride of place.

Aware of the damaging potential of the episode in relation to national security, the resolution patted the Vajpayee Government for making India a nuclear power, and for Kargil, noting that the Congress had ``gone against the national mood'' during both events.

Finally, it charged that the Congress was unable to stomach a non-Congress government completing its tenure, and hence the ``conspiracy'' to ``circumvent the people's mandate''.

Tomorrow the executive will adopt a resolution on the budget and the economic situation, and one on the Bamiyan Buddhas, and complete the discussion on the situation in the five States going to the polls.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Next     : Jana Krishnamurthi ratified BJP chief