No move for law on conversions 8211; PM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN 17: Prime Minister A B Vajpayee has said that there is no proposal to amend the Constitution or frame any new law...

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN 17: Prime Minister A B Vajpayee has said that there is no proposal to amend the Constitution or frame any new law on conversions even as he has reiterated the need for a dialogue to develop goodwill among people.

Vajpayee was replying to newsmen8217;s query on whether he still stood by his call for a national debate on conversions.

8220;I don8217;t think anyone is disappointed. Even the Roman Catholic bishop who met me has welcomed the dialogue,8221; Vajpayee said, referring to the meeting he had with Bishop Soosapakkiam and his education secretary Fr C Joseph yesterday.

He said no section of the Indian society should feel insecure. Recently, he went to the Dangs and met leaders of the Christian community.

In reply to another question on whether he would agree to the demand for a ban on proselytizing, the Prime Minister said there was a law in some States against 8220;fraudulent conversions8221; which were challenged and upheld by the Court.

On whether he would welcome the extension of the lawto other States, Vajpayee said that depended on States. 8220;Anyhow, I am not going to give them any advice.8221; The question of a law against conversions was discussed at the Constituent Assembly and a consensus had emerged on the basis of which the country had been able to maintain its integrity, he said.

Asked how effective was the Prime Minister8217;s prerogative given the nature of the coalition at the Centre, Vajpayee said there was no question of giving up the prerogative. But even in single-party rule, consultations do take place. Asked whether consultations were over, he said they were still on.

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On the question of choosing between Mamata Banerjee and the Samata Party, who were at loggerheads with each other, Vajpayee said: 8220;We want both Mamata and Samata.8221;

On Mamata8217;s insistence on getting the Railway portfolio, Vajpayee said perhaps her party thought it would help development of the State.

To the charge that the Centre had always been neglecting Kerala, Vajpayee quipped that the charge was unfair.8220;No, not today especially now when your Chief Minister is here. I had come here twice after taking over as Prime Minister,8221; he said. He said he would keep his promise on including Kerala in the national express highway.

Chief Minister E K Nayanar, Union Power Minister Rangarajan Kumaramangalam and senior BJP leader O Rajagopal MP were present at the news conference at the airport before the Prime Minister8217;s departure for Delhi.