Madurai, June 04: Condemning the statement of Pope John Paul II decrying anti-conversion laws in some states in the country, BJP today said it amounted to an "interference in the internal affairs of India". BJP national secretary L Ganesan told reporters here that the Pope's observation that the church in India should continue evangelism proved there was a need for anti-conversion laws in all the states.

Ganesan also denied reports in a section of the press that both Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his deputy L K Advani were being projected as the prime ministerial candidate.

"I was there when the BJP national president spoke. Clearly Vajpayee is the prime ministerial candidate. Advani is being projected as an iron man. There is nothing wrong in projecting two great leaders of the party. There is no question of Vajpayee retiring also", he said.

Bureau Report