Statute review: Oppn. support sought

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 2. The BJP today hoped the controversy over the government's decision to set up a commission to review the Constitution would come to an end with the announcement of the terms of reference of the commission.

Addressing a news conference here, the BJP general secretary, Mr. M. Venkaiah Naidu, appealed to all parties to join the endeavour to strengthen the Constitution and said it was not proper on the part of any party to spread ``disinformation.''

He was at pains to emphasise that the government attempt was a ``meaningful soul-searing exercise'' to study the functioning of the Constitution in the light of the experience in the last five decades.

Mr. Naidu said the terms of reference finalised for the commission did not leave scope for any apprehension on the government's motive. The commission has been asked to study how best the Constitution could respond to the changes needed for a smooth and effective system of governance and socio-economic development within the framework of parliamentary democracy.

He said the commission has been asked to recommend changes, if any, without interfering with the basic structure of the Constitution. He said the Congress(I) which had amended the Constitution 70 times, had no right to accuse the BJP of ulterior motives in its decision to constitute the commission.

Mr. Naidu referred to the agitation by activists of the Republican Party of India against the government's decision and said there was no truth in the allegation that the Government was attempting to tamper with the basic structure of the Constitution.

On the charge by the RPI that the NDA Government was not bothered about reservation in promotion for the Scheduled Caste, Mr. Naidu said the issue has arisen following the Supreme Court judgment and the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, has promised to resolve the issue.

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Section  : National
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