Date:04/04/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/04/04/stories/2006040409930700.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Centre informs BJP of threat to yatras

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The Centre has informed the BJP leadership that there was a threat to the proposed Bharat Suraksha Yatras being launched by former Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani and BJP President Rajnath Singh on April 6.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, former BJP president M. Venkaiah Naidu said the Centre had informed that the yatras might be attacked and dubbed it as an "admission that the security of the country is under threat." The Government had offered to make the raths to be used in the yatras "bullet-proof" by sending BSF personnel after the BJP leadership expressed its inability to get it done in a short span of time.

Mr. Naidu said the Centre would have to take all steps adding that the BJP was ready to cooperate. Mr. Advani will be launching the yatra from Rajkot and Mr. Singh from Puri to coincide with the party's foundation day.

The BJP leader accused the Congress and the Communists of indulging in a disinformation campaign and creating a "fear psychosis" about the yatras. He said not a single incident had occurred during any of the yatras taken up by the BJP since 1998. The yatra was aimed at creating awareness among the people on many issues.