Centre may send another team to TN

The BJP is likely to initiate some emergency damage-control measures in an effort to lower the temperature.

A second Home Ministry team may be sent to Tamil Nadu to “review” the law and order situation in the State — one of the demands voiced by Jayalalitha today. (The first team had given a clean chit to the State Government.)

An indication of this was given by senior BJP general secretary KN Govindacharya, who said today that it was necessary to constantly review the situation in the State as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) networks were operating all over the country.

There is also speculationthat, as in the past, an emissary may be sent to Chennai or the Prime Minister may telephone Jayalalitha to persuade her to come for the Coordination Committee meeting, when she can also have separate talks with the Prime Minister and Advani to clear the air.

Reacting to Jayalalitha’s strong statement, Govindacharya did not deny outright that there was no pre-poll understanding on the dismissal of the TN Government. “I cannot say if this came up informally during discussions (with the AIADMK) at the State level,” he said, admitting that it had been an election plank during the polls.

However, he emphasised that it had not been agreed upon when discussions were held with the BJP high command on Government formation and the National Agenda. (Advani, on the other hand, has categorically said that there was no such understanding at a formal or informal level.)

Govindacharya said it was possible that there was a difference in perceptions, but this could be sorted out through dialogue. “Jayalalitha’sanxiety can be appreciated. But it is always better to to have one-to-one talks with the leaders rather than expressing views in public. This harms the purpose rather than serving it,” he said.

The differences in perception could be discussed at an appropriate forum like the Coordination Committee, he added.

Hinting that the BJP-led Government would not give in to Jayalalitha’s pressure, he said the Central Government had to adopt a “holistic approach” to the matter. “The gravity of the law and order situation vary in different states,” he pointed out.

“The clamour for imposition of Article 356 in some states has to be viewed holistically. The merits of the cases also vary in different states.”

Sources said at present, the BJP considers only Bihar a fit case for imposition of President’s Rule and not Tamil Nadu or West Bengal.

Govindacharya said the BJP favoured minimal use of Article 356 but would not hesitate to use it where necessary, adding, “but not to ensure the survival of ourGovernment”.

Asked if the BJP viewed today’s development as a crisis and was concerned, he replied in the negative. He said he was confident that those parties which were supporting the BJP would continue to do so. “Jayalalitha might have criticised Advani in an emotional outburst. Everyone has a personal mental matrix. Dialogue can solve controversies.”