Monday, Feb 17, 2003
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By K.V. Prasad
The Government also indicated that it was prepared to discuss the issue in the budget session of Parliament starting tomorrow, and said its approach would be reflected in the President's address to the joint session of Parliament. At a meeting of the NDA leaders ahead of the session, the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, expressed the hope that the Opposition would continue to extend "constructive cooperation" which helped in the smooth conduct of the last winter session. The Ayodhya tangle and the Government's thinking on it was articulated by the Deputy Prime Minister, L. K. Advani, in response to the opposition expressed by the MDMK leader, C. Krishnan. The MDMK saw in the move a deviation from the NDA agenda. The party is understood to have suggested that the Government withdraw its appeal in the Supreme Court. Briefing correspondents after the meeting, the NDA convener and Defence Minister, George Fernandes, said that Mr. Advani had told the coalition partners that contrary to the Opposition campaign, the Government move was guided by the opinion that the matter be resolved through courts at the earliest and that the Government take steps in this regard. Mr. Advani's remarks bore apparent reference to the charge that the BJP was moving away from the NDA agenda. Mr. Advani also said that the Ayodhya imbroglio could not be allowed to continue for long and a solution, either through courts or by negotiations, should be found. Urging that all concerned work hard towards this end, he said if the problem continued it would not be in the interest of the country or any community. Referring to other issues, Mr. Fernandes said that the NDA leaders were concerned over the recurring law and order problem in Bihar. They appealed to the Congress and the Left parties to pull out from the RJD-led Government in the State. The Railway Minister, Nitish Kumar, briefed the meeting on the plans of the State NDA to launch a campaign against the Rabri Devi Government. Taking the cue, the Trinamool Congress chief, Mamata Banerjee, demanded a similar campaign in West Bengal. She charged the Left Front Government in the State with turning a blind eye towards the increasing incidence of murder, violence and rape. The former Punjab Chief Minister and SAD chief, Parkash Singh Badal, expressed his grievance against the Amarinder Singh Government. The Congress regime was harassing the SAD leaders and former Ministers, he said. The NDA condemned these actions. T. R. Baalu, representing the DMK, suggested that the Government intervene in the POTA case against the MDMK leader, Vaiko, currently in jail. The Government said that since a Section of POTA had been challenged in court, the Centre would give its stand when it gets a notice. Mr. Fernandes said he told the meeting that the jailed leader neither wanted the Government nor anyone else to take steps to secure his release. The External Affairs Minister, Yashwant Sinha, briefed the meeting on India's assessment of the Iraq situation and its possible impact on India and its economy.
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