National

Time has come for decisive action: BJP

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MAY 31. The time has come for India to act decisively, but when, where and with how much force has to be determined by the Government after assessing the ground situation, the Bharatiya Janata Party president, Jana Krishnamurthi, said here today.

He told reporters informally that the ISI network, which had spread throughout the country, was triggering terrorist strikes not only in Jammu and Kashmir, but also in many other places.

His view was that the nature of this terrorist threat against India had ``not been properly understood'' by foreign Governments which were advocating restraint and an Indo-Pak. dialogue. ``If they understood this properly, that Pakistan is out to destabilise India, they would not talk of a dialogue between the two countries.''

Mr. Krishnamurthi indicated that the West had always somehow believed that Pakistan had a claim to Jammu and Kashmir and they had looked upon the issue of infiltration and terrorist strikes in that light. He made it clear that India could not have any faith in the words and promises of Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf.

Turning to internal party matters, he said that a meeting of central party office-bearers and all `prabharis' (those in-charge of States) had been called on June 6 and 7. The changes in the party organisation were ``almost complete'' but, he added, anyone who wanted to work for the party organisation rather than the Government ``was welcome''.

When asked about the Home Minister, L.K. Advani's announcement during the Goa executive last month, that some drastic changes would be made with some Ministers working for the party and some in the party getting Government work, Mr. Krishnamurthi shot back that no Cabinet reshuffle had in fact taken place. He emphasised that the recent appointments of `prabharis' had been made by him in consultation with senior party leaders (meaning the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, and Mr Advani).

There was no question of his wanting to take `sanyas' or leave party work. Reports on this issue were baseless, he indicated, reminding reporters that his appointment as party president was made after endorsement by Mr. Vajpayee, Mr. Advani and the party's national executive committee. On early elections in Gujarat, Mr. Krishnamurthi said that demands for the Chief Minister's resignation had been voiced by Opposition parties and it was keeping this in view that the BJP national executive had recommended that the issue of early polls be left to the Chief Minister. In any case, elections in the State were due in about eight months, and during his recent visit to Gujarat he had asked party workers to be prepared for polls any time.

Gujarat was very much on the road to recovery from the violence and carnage witnessed in March and April and contrary to general impressions new investment in Gujarat was taking place.

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