Naidu slams VHP for raking up Temple issue, wants WTO-issues addressed

He, however, refrained from making any critical comments against the NDA government on the issue. “We hope that the government would stick to its national agenda,” he said.

“You need to have a clarity on this issue. Our party has been appealing to political parties to wait for the Supreme Court’s decision and adhere to it. We will not be a party to any efforts to deviate from the agenda,” Naidu told party leaders.

The Chief Minister was particularly upset with the Sangh Parivar’s obssession with the Temple issue when China was taking international market by storm by reducing costs of industrial and agricultural production.

“We need to gear up to face the challenge,” he said.

TDP Parliamentary Party leader K. Yerran Naidu, told mediapersons later that the TDP would not keep quiet if the NDA deviates from its agenda on the Ayodhya issue.

“We are committed to secularism and we will not allow anyone from doing anything to disturb communal harmony in the country,” he said.

Naidu will be leaving for Delhi tomorrow to meet Prime Minister A. B. Vajpayee. Party sources said that the Chief Minister would take the opportunity to convey his objections to some recent statements of VHP leaders on the Temple issue.

Yesterday addressing a press conference here, Naidu had clarified that his party would react to the issue as and when required. “As and when there is a need, I will react to the situation in a suitable manner.” He had, however, refused to say whether he would take up the matter with Vajpayee.

“From the beginning, our stand on the Temple issue is the same. The matter has to be decided by the courts and no one else. We hope the NDA will stick to its agenda and does not deviate,” he had said.

Asked whether he would withdraw support to the Vajpayee government in case the Sangh Parivar went ahead with its Temple mission, the Chief Minister said: “You always want to know when I am going to withdraw support. But, for me, that is not important.”

He said that instead of the Ayodhya issue, the nation should address itself to more serious matters such as the stiff competition from China, specially in agricultural products. “China is taking full advantage of WTO rules, while we are totally oblivious of the developments,” he said.

TDP sources had also said that Naidu will also lodge a protest with Vajpayee over the attitude of state BJP leaders towards his government.

TDP leaders are unhappy that BJP Union ministers and leaders are openly attacking the Naidu government on issues such as revision of power tariff, implementation of the Janmabhoomi programme and execution of the Inchampally irrigation project.