Hit amp; run war continues

BANGALORE, April 22: The internecine war among Bharatiya Janata Party's mercurial allies entered into a fresh bout with Union Commerce Minis...

BANGALORE, April 22: The internecine war among Bharatiya Janata Party8217;s mercurial allies entered into a fresh bout with Union Commerce Minister Ramakrishna Hegde saying that the coalition could well seek a fresh mandate from the people instead of succumbing to the blackmail tactics of AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha.

Speaking to media persons here at the airport on returning from Bangkok, Hegde said he had not seen Prime Minister A B Vajpayee8217;s letter seeking explanation to Jayalalitha8217;s letter urging the dismissal of tainted ministers. 8220;I have to go to Delhi8221;.

8220;If it comes to the crunch, I personally feel we should go back to the people again. I know it will involve crores of rupees of expenditure. Let us see what will happen. The government wanted to do something good, something different from the previous government. But if some people continued to create problems and prevent the government from functioning, I personally feel we should go back to the people again and seek fresh mandate,8221; hesaid.

Referring to Jayalalitha targeting him and Urban Development Minister Ram Jethmalani, Hegde said there was no charge-sheet filed against him anywhere in the country. He ruled out tendering resignation from the Vajpayee government and described the allegations against him as meaningless. 8220;If necessary, I will resign myself. No one has ever asked me to resign in my political life. Five times I have stepped down on moral grounds, as in the case of telephone tapping, though I have not erred,8221; he said.

No second central team for TN: Advani

The Centre is not deputing a second team to Tamil Nadu to assess the security situation there, Home Minister L K Advani said today.

AIADMK supremo Jayalalitha had demanded that the Centre should send a new team, headed by the Union Home Secretary, to Tamil Nadu to make a fresh assessment of the security scenario in the State.

Asked about the removal of Special Secretary Home Ashok Kumar, who had led a two-member Central team to Tamil Nadu, Advani said8220;I do things. I do not comment.8221;