National

War is not a solution: Bardhan

By Our Special Correspondent

The CPI leader, A.B. Bardhan, addressing the media after meeting the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, in New Delhi on Monday. — Photo: Rajeev Bhatt.

NEW DELHI MAY 20. The Communist Party of India wants India to step up the diplomatic offensive against Pakistan and take economic measures instead of waging a war.

At a meeting with the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, the CPI general secretary, A.B. Bardhan, said today that war was not a solution to tackle the situation arising out of cross-border terrorism. There was no such thing like ``a limited war'' especially when both the countries shared the border.

In his 45-minute meeting, he told the Prime Minister that the option of war should be kept aside. ``Speaking the language of war will not bring a solution. We should take economic and diplomatic measures against Pakistan with firmness,'' Mr. Bardhan told correspondents.

On the diplomatic front, he said that though asking Islamabad to recall its High Commissioner from India was a declaration of New Delhi's intent, the move was not enough. India should ask Washington to put greater pressure on Pakistan to shut down the terrorist camps on its soil and cut back on economic aid. Also, India should mobilise international opinion against Islamabad.

Presidential poll

The CPI leader told the Prime Minister that he should try and evolve a consensus on Presidentship. The party has already made its preference known — second term for K.R. Narayanan.

Mr. Bardhan said that in the present situation of tension and Gujarat happenings, a contest for the top post in the country was not good. To a question whether his party would support the candidature of P.C. Alexander, Mr. Bardhan said he was not acceptable.

Mr. Vajpayee's meeting with Mr. Bardhan was in continuation of the process of consultation begun with leaders of Opposition both on the current security situation and the Presidential election.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• War is not a solution: Bardhan
• Govt. hopes Narayanan will say `no'
• `PM will lead the battle against terrorism'
• Now, Cong. demands elections in Gujarat
• War only the last option: Farooq
• Support Vajpayee in the hour of crisis: Gowda
• Ajit Singh wants farm subsidies to be enhanced
• First farm job portal launched
• CPI (ML) wants Govt. to de-escalate tensions
• New scheme for salaried taxpayers
• India willing to discuss Gujarat violence with EU
• U.S. team on human rights meets NCM
• Stop murderous attacks, Germany tells Pak.
• Border situation may overshadow AICC meet

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu