Date:15/01/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/01/15/stories/2003011505890100.htm

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Willing to believe Advani: Nadira

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JAN. 14. Not many in India believe that the State did not have any hand in what happened in Gujarat either by its acts of commission or omission, but Nadira Naipaul, wife of the Nobel-laureate, Vidia Naipaul, apparently has now taken the word of the Deputy Prime Minister, L. K. Advani, to this effect at face value.

After making it to the headlines for questioning Mr. Advani on the treatment of the minorities in India during his session at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations last week, Ms. Naipaul today praised Mr. Advani at a press conference in which Sir Vidia voiced concerns over the handling of the Tehelka case.

Describing Mr. Advani as a ``savvy politician'', she said he had assured the gathering that Gujarat was an aberration. ``He emphatically denied that the state had any hand in it, and said it would never happen again.''

Asked whether she believed Mr. Advani, pat came her reply: ``If you cannot believe the Deputy Prime Minister of the country, then who do you believe?'' Sensing the cynicism with which her reply was received, she said: ``Let's just say, I would like to believe him. That's all you can hope from politicians.''