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Listen to the VHP, NDA tells PM
Major NDA partners on Saturday authorised Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to `listen` to the leaders of VHP and saints whose warning rally for construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya culminates in New Delhi on Saturday.
Major NDA partners on Saturday authorised Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to "listen" to the leaders of VHP and saints whose warning rally for construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya culminates in New Delhi on Saturday.
After a two-hour meeting of NDA leaders chaired by the Prime Minister, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan said the NDA leaders asked Vajpayee to "listen" to the saints who are meeting him on Sunday.
Vajpayee told the NDA leaders that some saints, led by VHP leader Ashok Singhal, had sought an appointment with him on the Ayodhya issue and asked them to give their views on the matter, which was not part of the NDA`s common agenda.
"No one (among the NDA leaders) said the Prime Minister should not meet the VHP and saints delegation," Mahajan said.
Those present at the meeting were Home Minister L K Advani, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, Defence Minister and Samata Party leader George Fernandes, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, JD-U leader Sharad Yadav, Ram Vilas Paswan (Lok Janshakti), Mamata Banerjee (Trinamul Congress), Murasoli Maran (DMK), Vaiko (MDMK) and Om Prakash Chautala (INLD).
Besides Singhal, the six-member VHP and saints delegation would comprise Ramchandra Paramhans Das, Mahant Avaidyanath, Mahant Nrityagopal Das, Swami Vishweshteertha of Udupi and Swami Satyananda from Kerala, Mahajan said.
Asked whether any formula for resolving the Ayodhya issue was discussed at the meeting, Mahajan said the NDA meeting was not to find a solution to the issue. "Without knowing what they (VHP) want, how can one discuss these things? They have also not given anything in writing."
To a question whether the meeting was convened for the Prime Minister to seek NDA partners` opinion on meeting the VHP delegation, he said "there is no need for the Prime Minister to seek anyone`s permission or consult someone to meet anybody".
Replying to questions, Mahajan said the ensuing Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh and other states was also not part of the agenda for Saturday`s meeting.
He said the `Chetavani Yatra` concluded in a peaceful manner and no tension was created anywhere in Uttar Pradesh. "This is election time and everyone has a right to take out yatras and air their views, both the ruling parties as well as the Opposition. So the VHP also has the right," Mahajan said.
External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh briefed the NDA leaders on the prevailing security situation in the region, while Advani and Fernandes spoke about their respective official visits to the United States.
Bureau Report
After a two-hour meeting of NDA leaders chaired by the Prime Minister, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan said the NDA leaders asked Vajpayee to "listen" to the saints who are meeting him on Sunday.
Vajpayee told the NDA leaders that some saints, led by VHP leader Ashok Singhal, had sought an appointment with him on the Ayodhya issue and asked them to give their views on the matter, which was not part of the NDA`s common agenda.
"No one (among the NDA leaders) said the Prime Minister should not meet the VHP and saints delegation," Mahajan said.
Those present at the meeting were Home Minister L K Advani, External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, Defence Minister and Samata Party leader George Fernandes, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, JD-U leader Sharad Yadav, Ram Vilas Paswan (Lok Janshakti), Mamata Banerjee (Trinamul Congress), Murasoli Maran (DMK), Vaiko (MDMK) and Om Prakash Chautala (INLD).
Besides Singhal, the six-member VHP and saints delegation would comprise Ramchandra Paramhans Das, Mahant Avaidyanath, Mahant Nrityagopal Das, Swami Vishweshteertha of Udupi and Swami Satyananda from Kerala, Mahajan said.
Asked whether any formula for resolving the Ayodhya issue was discussed at the meeting, Mahajan said the NDA meeting was not to find a solution to the issue. "Without knowing what they (VHP) want, how can one discuss these things? They have also not given anything in writing."
To a question whether the meeting was convened for the Prime Minister to seek NDA partners` opinion on meeting the VHP delegation, he said "there is no need for the Prime Minister to seek anyone`s permission or consult someone to meet anybody".
Replying to questions, Mahajan said the ensuing Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh and other states was also not part of the agenda for Saturday`s meeting.
He said the `Chetavani Yatra` concluded in a peaceful manner and no tension was created anywhere in Uttar Pradesh. "This is election time and everyone has a right to take out yatras and air their views, both the ruling parties as well as the Opposition. So the VHP also has the right," Mahajan said.
External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh briefed the NDA leaders on the prevailing security situation in the region, while Advani and Fernandes spoke about their respective official visits to the United States.
Bureau Report