BJP national executive to consider law for temple construction
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With an eye on the coming assembly elections, the BJP, in a move not to further annoy a restive VHP, is likely to consider a legislation for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya at its National Executive in Raipur beginning on Friday. “Although we know we do not have a majority, the issue is likely to be taken up at the National Executive though it may not be discussed in detail,” party sources said. This was among the various issues which was discussed at a meeting of senior party leaders including Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, party President M Venkaiah Naidu and others while chalking out the agenda for the National Executive, the sources said. The focus at the National Executive is expected to be the strategy for the assembly elections in five states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Mizoram. The meeting which is to be attended by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and various other Central ministers and top party leaders from states would be discussing in detail the electoral strategy with each of the state units expected to give a detailed report on the political scenario in the concerned state, the sources said. “With Chhattisgarh being an equally important state, this meeting assumes significance with the last executive having been held on April last in Indore in Madhya Pradesh,” they added. Asked whether the Executive would also discuss the Kashi and Mathura issues, Naqvi said, “we have only talked about Ayodhya.” He, however, asserted that “BJP’s Hindutva is a guarantee for secularism. It subscribes to the Hindutva as expounded by Swami Vivekanada and the Supreme Court’s interpretation of it. We are not apologetic about it.” Besides drawing up the battle strategy for the coming Assembly elections in the five states including Chhatisgarh, where the meeting is being held, the conclave would also discuss “future coalitions” for the Lok Sabha polls next year, Naqvi said. To a question whether the issue of Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin, being raised vociferously by both Naidu and other leaders like Pramod Mahajan, would also be deliberated, he said, “Sonia is not our problem but that of the Congress. We will be discussing all issues of national importance and this could also be one of them.” “Our focus would be on security, stability and development and performance of over five years rule of the NDA Government,” he said. The recommendations of the O P Kohli Committee on changes in the party constitution and other organisational matters including the 25 point programme adopted at the Hyderabad meeting of state party presidents would be discussed, the spokesman said. Describing the Assembly elections as “Operation 2003″ ahead of Mission 2004, he said, “The party would contest the polls under Vajpayee’s leadership, who will continue to be its Prime Ministerial candidate. More : outlookindia.com |