Kolhapur, Maharashtra, May 20: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's peace initiative on Pakistan was not due to any pressure from the United States, BJP National General Secretary Pramod Mahajan said here today. Addressing a press conference said that Mr Vajpayee's efforts to hold a dialogue with Pakistan was aimed to extend a hand of friendship, forging business relations with Pakistan and ending cross-border terrorism. The peace initiative was also aimed to reduce the huge expenditure on border security to fight against terrorist activities, Mr Mahajan pointed out. When his attention was drawn to Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) leader Pravin Togadia's remark that Mr Vajpayee should be ''prepared for war along with peace initiatives'', Mr Mahajan said that such a decision could be taken by the PM alone as he was the chosen representative of the people of India.

He said BJP would not use 'Hindutva' as an election plank. Hindutva was also not the party's agenda, he added.

Mr Mahajan said ram temple issue should not be politicised and it should be resolved by all parties. Bureau Report