The Hindu : Vinay Katiyar is U.P. BJP president

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 25, 2002

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Vinay Katiyar is U.P. BJP president

By Neena Vyas

NEW DELHI JUNE 24. The Bharatiya Janata Party today signalled the revival of its hard Hindutva card in Uttar Pradesh when the former Bajrang Dal chief, Vinay Katiyar, was appointed to the crucial post of president of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit by the party president, Jana Krishnamurthi, who simultaneously accepted the resignation of Kalraj Mishra.

The appointment coincides with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's announcement that it will not abide by the court verdict on Ayodhya. Although the BJP distanced itself from this position, the appointment of Mr. Katiyar, who was closely identified with the Ayodhya movement and the demolition of the Babri mosque, is seen as a pointer to the BJP preparing for the next electoral battle in Uttar Pradesh which will be the Lok Sabha election in 2004.

Mr. Katiyar's appointment also fills a Backward Caste leadership vacuum in the party after the exit of the former Chief Minister, Kalyan Singh. Under Mr. Katiyar, the party hopes to revive its political support among the backwards.

The position of Mr. Mishra, former BJP president of the State unit, became untenable and he offered his resignation after his outburst against the central leadership on the opening day of the State executive to which he had invited the press, against the normal practice.

Talking to the press, Mr. Katiyar, Faizabad Lok Sabha MP, asserted that the Ram temple was set up on December 6, 1992 — the day the Babri mosque was razed to the ground. It was now a question of establishing a grand temple at the same place, "and if that can be facilitated by the VHP staying away from the negotiations, then what is the harm?''

He also said that the construction of the temple would be done "peacefully.'' And he was sure that "all obstacles in the way will be removed.'' The Government was trying to remove the obstacles, the entire "sangathan'' (organisation) was also working for the temple. "Those (in the VHP) who criticise the Central leaders are also the ones who give their blessings to them,'' he said, when it was pointed out that the VHP leaders had criticised the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister at the just-concluded meeting in Haridwar.

On the coalition in Uttar Pradesh and the dissatisfaction in the party on the decision to go along with the Bahujan Samaj Party, he said the party's decision must be respected by all. His main aim would be to strengthen the party at all levels. "I have just been given this major responsibility, let me go to Lucknow and see what programmes I can chalk out to strengthen the party's base,'' he added.

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