Beas (Punjab), Sept 17: Defence Minister and NDA convenor George Fernandes today said BJP, a key constituent of the National Democratic Alliance, had never raised Ayodhya issue at alliance's coordination committee meetings. Asked whether his party would continue to support the BJP-led government at the Centre even if the saffron party revives the temple issue, Fernandes told reporters here that the issue would be addressed as and when it comes up at the NDA meetings.

He said as far as the NDA was concerned, it was formed after the BJP promised that it would not include temple issue on its agenda. On talks with Pakistan, Fernandes said "Though earlier summits have failed to yield desired results, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's latest offer of talks is a welcome step. But the neighbouring country must first mend its ways by ending cross-border terrorism."

On the opposition continuing his boycott in Parliament, the defence minister in a lighter vein said probably they did not like his face.

Asked if he still supported Jammu and Kashmir government's healing touch policy despite the spurt in militant violence, Fernandes said there was nothing wrong in the policy if it was implemented in a right and clinical manner. Bureau Report