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We will not compromise on corruption: Vajpayee

By Sunny Sebastian

AJMER NOV. 23. The Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, today expressed anguish over the developments in Assam and Bihar and said every individual would be protected.

Addressing a public meeting held in support of the Bharatiya Janata Party candidates at the Patel Stadium here, he said "nobody can divide us.''

"We have taken this pledge. India will not be divided into parts. We cannot allow it even during the elections. The elections will be soon over but the differences may continue.''

"We do not make compromises with corruption,'' Mr. Vajpayee said referring to the charges levelled against some National Democratic Alliance Ministers by the Congress. He juxtaposed the resignation of Dilip Singh Judev as Union Minister of Forests and Environment with the "reluctance'' of the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister, Ajit Jogi, to step down.

"Those who are corrupt should go. I asked Judev about the charges. He said he would quit. But the same did not happen with the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister,'' he said.

As for the latest corruption charges against the six NDA Ministers involving public sector units, he sought to know if the Congress had any proof to substantiate the allegations. "All allegations, involving so many Ministers and that too during the elections... And the friends in the Congress got active... we told them there is no direct charge and the allegations are all false...'' he said.

Mr. Vajpayee expressed dismay that the Congress leaders even tried to involve the President in the matter. "I too felt it is getting too much. I too have been in politics for the past 50 years. We had the patience to sit in the Opposition. I never hankered after power. Power is only a medium to serve the people. The Congress is desperate,'' he said.

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