Allies have not objected to Gujarat order: Advani

By Our Staff Correspondent

PATNA, FEB. 7. The Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, has denied that any of the alliance partner had objected to the Gujarat Government's decision lifting the ban on Government employees associating themselves with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Neither the Samata Party nor any other ally had taken up the issue with the BJP leadership. Mr. Advani told newspersons here. He brushed aside statements in this regard by the Samata Party in the media. He justified the Gujarat Government's decision saying there were several High Court rulings on this and that the RSS was not a banned organisation.

The Minister said the Centre would soon decide on the running of the Samjhauta Express to Pakistan on the basis of the recommendation of the External Affairs Ministry. He had brought to the Ministry's notice ``some facts'' relating to the Express which had come to his Ministry's notice.

About the violence indulged in by those opposing the shooting of the film, ``Water'', Mr. Advani said he had directed the Uttar Pradesh Government to maintain law and order. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the State Government were involved in the controversy and his Ministry had nothing to do with it. He preferred a consensus between the producer and the protesters, but declined to comment on the VHP leader, Mr. Ashok Singhal's statement that the film could be made ``only over his dead body.''

Justifying the decision of the Defence Minister to order an inquiry into all Defence purchases since 1985, Mr. Advani dismissed reservations express expressed by the Congress(I) and the former Defence Minister and Samajwadi Party leader, Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, with whom he had a chance meeting at the Patna airport today. He said the Defence Minister may have come to know of ``certain facts about some other deals too'' and may have considered it necessary to have them probed.

On creation of a separate State of Vananchal, Mr. Advani said the formalities would be fulfilled soon but expressed reluctance in fixing a time-frame. The Bill had been sent for the President's approval and would have to be placed in the Bihar Legislature.

Mr. Advani said that the Bihar Assembly elections would end the electoral stranglehold of the Rashtriya Janata Dal of Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav. He parried questions on why the ruling NDA fielding ``underworld dons'' and said he would look into the matter.

To a question, he said the Centre would provide enough companies of Central forces for the poll and expressed confidence that the Election Commission would ensure their proper deployment.

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