A security lapse at Ayodhya, admits PM

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, OCT. 18 The Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, made it clear today that ``there is no proposal to have formal talks with Pakistan,'' though the two countries are in touch.

In a brief chat with the media at the airport before emplaning for Delhi, Mr. Vajpayee said ``We had free and frank talks with Gen. Colin Powell and India's position has been explained.'' He said he was happy with the discussions with the U.S. Secretary of State.

Replying to a question on the forced entry of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders into the Ayodhya temple on Wednesday, he said ``We felt that the security arrangement there was slack and it is to be further tightened.'' His Government was committed to preserving the secular fabric.

Asked whether the Government would evacuate the VHP leaders if they were still there, the Prime Minister shot back: ``There are no VHP leaders there.''

To a query on complaints against the Tamil Nadu Government and police, Mr. Vajpayee said:``There are complaints and if they are genuine, action must be taken.'' He said complaints had been coming in since the arrest of the former Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi.

The Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, left by a special IAF aircraft. They were seen off by the Governor, Dr. C. Rangarajan, the Chief Minister, Mr. O. Paneerselvam, the Chief Secretary, Mr. P. Shankar, and representatives of the three Defence services in the city. Mr. Vajpayee, who stayed overnight at the Raj Bhavan, attended the wedding of the son of the BJP president, Mr. Jana Krishnamurthy, at Purasawalkam here this morning. The press was kept off the hotel during the wedding.

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