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BJP sticks to NDA agenda on Ayodhya
By Our Special Correspondent
LUCKNOW, FEB. 2. The Bharatiya Janata Party's election manifesto released here today says the Ayodhya dispute would be settled either through a court order or an agreement between the parties concerned, basically swearing by the NDA agenda. ``It is hoped that a solution to the problem would be found soon. The BJP Government would try to expedite the Ayodhya case,'' it said.
Asked by presspersons if this meant a substantial change in the BJP policy on the temple issue, the Chief Minister, Rajnath Singh, said the party did want a solution to the problem.
The party still believed that a Ram temple should be constructed but that could be done either through a court verdict or mutual understanding.
Mr. Singh challenged the Samajwadi Party and the Congress to make their stand on the issue clear. These parties had gone on record favouring the restoration of the Babri Masjid. The people had the right to know if they still stood firm on their stand.
The party promised to provide political stability and a clean administration. ``Despite practical problems, the BJP-led Government did not allow the chariot of progress to stop during the past five years and kept the State free from terrorism, fear and riots. This was proof that the party had the capability of running a government in quite adverse situations,'' the manifesto said.
It promised to bring the office of Chief Minister under the jurisdiction of the Lok Ayukta as one of the measures to end corruption. ``Within 90 days of getting elected, the new government would make it obligatory on the people's representatives to submit details of their income and wealth. Steps would also be taken to bring in transparency in government decisions involving public money and wealth,'' it said.
Releasing the manifesto at a press conference jointly addressed by him with the Chief Minister, the State BJP unit president, Kalraj Mishra, said the slogan of the party was ``Aatank, asthirata aur hinsa se mukt raj; shanti, samriddhi evam samrasta se yukt samaj'' (A State free from terror, instability and violence and a society having progress and harmony).
Mr. Singh alleged that competition was on among the Opposition parties over garnering the minority votes. The Congress and the Samajwadi Party were trying to create a feeling of insecurity among the minorities to win them over. ``Every year on December 6, they invariably indulge in such an exercise. During the current elections also, they were up to their old tactics. As far as the BJP is concerned, it believes in the oft- repeated principle of justice for all and appeasement of none.''
He described the Congress as ``the most communal party at the national level'' and the Samajwadi Party as ``the most communal party at the regional level.''
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