Advani rules out divide in NDA

NEW DELHI, DEC.25. The Union Home Minister, Mr.L.K. Advani, has ruled out any differences in the ruling National Democratic Alliance following the Ayodhya controversy and said the defeat of the censure motion in the Lok Sabha had given a ``sense of stability.''

He dismissed the talk of a mid-term poll after the projection of the Ayodhya issue and discounted the possibility of the allies deserting the BJP.

``Such reports can make a good copy and headlines. Why should we have mid-term elections. It (the victory in the Lok Sabha on the censure motion) has given us a sense of stability because our opponents felt that on the Ayodhya issue, our allies would not support us. They also forced a division,'' he said in an interview to PTI.

He replied in the negative when asked whether he felt insecure about the allies remaining with the BJP in view of certain statements made by them.

Specifically asked whether the Trinamool Congress leader, Ms. Mamata Banerjee, would remain in the NDA in the light of her reported overtures to the Congress, Mr. Advani said all the allies including the Trinamool Congress were with the NDA.

Mr. Advani ruled out any differences between him and the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, on the issue. ``Our stand has always been the same. We have never changed it. What was earlier Mr. Vajpayee's stand that the Ministers chargesheeted in the course of a political campaign would not be asked to resign became the NDA's stand.''

Referring to the allies' criticism, Mr. Advani said ``that is a different matter because the issue was not raised by us. It (the NDA agenda) is an agreed programme.'' On reports that the BJP was trying to woo back the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, he expressed surprise, saying ``I don't know from where they (reports) have come.''

Talks with Pak.

UNI reports from Ahmedabad

Mr. Advani said though the firing along the border by Pakistan had stopped, the activities of Lashkar-e-Toiba were still continuing in India and talks with Pakistan would be possible only after it ended the cross-border terrorism.

On Pakistan's Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf's statement that his country would not insist on its inclusion in the talks between the India Government and the Hurriyat leaders, Mr. Advani said the Government would hold talks not only with the Hurriyat leaders, but also with those of the National Conference, the Congress as well as the BJP.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Previous : End 'atrocities' in J&K: Musharraf
Next     : The victims prevented their real plan?