Move to destabilise BJP-led Govt.: Thakre

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, JULY 9. The BJP chief, Mr. Kushabhau Thakre, feels that the increasing number attacks on Christians and their institutions across the country is the handiwork of an organised movement to `destabilise' the BJP-led Government at the Centre.

At a press conference here this morning, Mr. Thakre hinted that international agencies, political parties and institutions could be behind the destabilisation move. But he ducked a question as to who exactly were behind the destabilisation move. ``This has to be investigated by the Government,'' he said.

In any case, the insignificant incidents were being exaggerated by the Press, he claimed. ``Small incidents of attacks on the Christians are blown out of proportion.''

He said the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal were being unnecessarily blamed for the attacks. There was no material to prove their involvement in these attacks. ``The VHP and the Bajrang Dal are not fools to do such things. What gain are they going to get out of these attacks,'' he wondered. He wanted the culprits be punished severely.

On the Kashmir question, the BJP boss ruled out a going back to the pre-1953 situation as demanded by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. ``It would give a boost to the disintegration of the country,'' he argued.

However, he stressed that there was room for more devolution of financial powers. This applied to not only Kashmir but also all the States. His party was for giving more financial powers to the States ``so that they will be able to carry out their responsibilities in a better way.'' However, this should be in accordance with the Sarkaria Commission recommendations.

Mr. Thakre, who came to the helm of the BJP from the top echelons of the RSS, sought to duck questions relating to the alleged serious differences between the RSS and the BJP Government over the economic policies, particularly liberalisation and globalisation. He papered over the issue saying ``Liberalisation is necessary, but how much, and what, to liberalise is the question.''

Asked if his visit to Kerala (he attended the two-day BJP State executive held here on July 8-9) was on a trouble-shooting mission to sort out the alleged differences between two sections in the party, Mr. Thakre retorted: ``There is no problem here.''

Asked if he was in the race for another term of party presidency, he sought to suggest that there was no contest for the position. ``We all sit together and the responsibility is given to one of us.'' There were no candidates for the post and, ``I am also not a candidate.'' It has been reported that one of the reasons for Mr. Thakre's Kerala visit is to drum up the State unit's support for his candidature for another term.

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Section  : Southern States
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