Advani, PM stay in touch, BJP talks unity

The BJP extended a hand of solidarity to the Centre on Thursday, saying 8220;the nation must stand up as one body...

The BJP extended a hand of solidarity to the Centre on Thursday, saying 8220;the nation must stand up as one body8221; when 8220;terrorists have declared a full-scale war8221;.

8220;We expect that the issue of terrorism is kept above politics. This is an hour for all sections of society to sink their differences,8221; said the BJP in a statement, after a meeting. 8220;The need of the hour is for the people of Mumbai, Maharashtra and the country to stay united and calm. Maintenance of peace, tranquility, communal harmony and patriotic unity must be our highest priority,8221; said BJP leader L K Advani at a press meet.

While Advani was in touch with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh through the night 8212; the two spoke no less than five times 8212; the two also decided to fly together to the city. However, later Advani left for Mumbai with Jaswant Singh in the evening and the PM left separately.

While 8220;appreciating8221; the BJP8217;s 8220;measured response8221;, Congress sources expressed 8220;disappointment that Advani didn8217;t accompany the PM8221;. While BJP sources claimed that Advani altered his plans after a call from Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil indicating a change in the PM8217;s schedule, the Congress camp said there was 8220;no ambiguity whatsoever8221; in the PM8217;s plans.

Asked about the shift in the party8217;s response, a senior BJP leader said: 8220;Today is definitely not the day to pick holes in the Government8217;s approach.8221;

While the BJP described the attacks as an 8220;audacious challenge to India8217;s nation-state8221; and 8220;resolved to break the back of India8217;s enemies8221;, the RSS too expressed similar sentiments. 8220;At this hour of crisis I extend wholehearted support to the Government and agencies and call upon the entire nation to rise as one man and destroy the nefarious designs of the terrorists. I urge the Swayamsevaks to continue their efforts to rescue hundreds injured or otherwise affected by this terror attack,8221; said RSS chief K S Sudarshan.