Progress, not Ram, BJP’s poll peg: PM

‘‘The Ram temple is not an issue. It is linked to people’s emotion. We should resolve it. I hope efforts in this direction will succeed.’’ When he was asked whether temple construction would form part of the BJP manifesto, Vajpayee — he was flanked by Kalyan Singh who was Uttar Pradesh chief minister when the Babri Masjid was torn down — said: ‘‘When the manifesto comes out, it will be before you.’’

‘‘We are going to the polls on the strength of our achievements. I am not willing to go into the number game but the party will achieve its target in Uttar Pradesh.’’ He said he was hopeful of the BJP winning 50 to 60 Lok Sabha seats in the state . Responding to the Opposition charge that the BJP was developing a personality cult around him, Vajpayee said: ‘‘I have not not become any cult. We (in BJP) work together and no one individual takes decisions.’’ When his attention was drawn to BJP slogans like ‘‘Atalji ka naam, Atalji ka kaam’’ (Vajpayee’s name and achievements), he said: ‘‘No, the party is not saying so.’’ He added that the slogan mentioned was not complete but did not elaborate. Asked to explain the entry of D.P. Yadav into the BJP while claiming to be against criminalisation of politics, he said: ‘‘We are against criminalisation of politics. I don’t want to comment on individuals.’’

‘‘If someone comes into the party, it is seen whether that person is facing criminal charges. I have been told that antecedents were verified before admitting the new entrants to the party fold.’’

When reporters reminded him that Yadav’s son was involved in a murder case, Vajpayee said he did not want to get into a discussion on sons and relatives except to note that procedure is followed before permitting people to join BJP: ‘‘Sometimes you (press) talk of the father and now you are talking about his son. Hum parivaron mein kahan tak jayenge (how far can we keep discussing family matters).’’

Meanwhile, Yadav said he has been framed by the Opposition for political gains. ‘‘I have joined the BJP because it is a national party and has a leader like Atalji. No charge against me has been proved which means that I am innocent,’’ said Yadav.