Laxman approves Mamata's bid for Cong. tieup

By Our Special Correspondent

BHUBANESWAR, DEC. 29. The BJP president, Mr. Bangaru Laxman, today gave a clear signal to the Trinamool Congress, Ms. Mamata Banarjee, to go ahead with her `Mahajot' plan for seat adjustments with the Congress in West Bengal Assembly elections due next year to oust the Left Front Government.

Speaking to presspersons here this morning, Mr. Laxman said his party was prepared to take ``one-time exception against alliance partner keeping in mind the prevailing situation in West Bengal''.

Mr. Laxman said the national executive meeting slated for the first week of next month in New Delhi would discuss the party's strategy for the Assembly elections in March/April next year in West Bengal, Assam, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

J&K insurgency

Stating that the NDA Government headed by Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee had the will power and the capacity to crush the militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Laxman said Pakistan's welcoming the ceasefire announced by Mr. Vajpayee was aimed at pleasing international community. In spite of its reciprocal announcement it continued to support and aid militant outfits that operated from its territory.

He said ``it's a double game of Pakistan'' adding that the military regime of Pakistan was loath to see the return of peace and tranquility in Kashmir.

Claiming that Mr. Vajpayee's declaration extending the ceasefire had boosted the morale of the people of the valley, Mr. Laxman said the NDA Government's policy had resulted in making the valley's population dissociating from militant organisations.

He said the local people had started opposing the militant outfits which were being led by Pakistanis, Afghans and Sudanese.

Stating that the success of the unilateral ceasefire and its extension had made the Pak.-sponsored militants and its extremists desperate, Mr. Laxman said the recent attacks at the Red Fort were demonstration of their desperation. The Lashkar-i- Taiba's threat of making the Prime Minister's office its next target was a further proof of its frustration and isolation from the people.

Nepalese stir

PTI reports:

Mr. Laxman described as unfortunate and deplorable the current anti-India agitations in Nepal over alleged remarks made by cine star Hrithik Roshan.

The entire thing was based on a rumour floated by some forces, in which Indian community was made the target, he said.

Urging the Nepalese Government to take stern action in safeguarding Indians and their properties there, Mr. Laxman alleged that Nepal had become a breeding ground of militant activities. That country had also `failed' to control ISI activities despite the Indian Government asking it repeatedly to do so.

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