Quick wit comes to PM146;s rescue

Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism is a serious issue with India. But media speculations on Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee meeting General Pervez Musharraf are definitely not. In fact, during his four-day trip to the NAM summit in Malaysia, Vajpayee always saw the lighter side of his 8216;8216;meeting8217;8217; Musharraf.

When pointed out that Musharraf has said there8217;s no point in extending a handshake to India as it took two hands to clap, a poker-faced Vajpayee shot back saying: 8216;8216;To aab chutki baja lein8230;kuchh na kuchh karte rehna chahiye then he should snap his fingers8230;one should keep oneself occupied.8217;8217; The PM8217;s repartee came two days after he dismissed the question on his shaking hands with Musharraf saying 8216;8216;hum pair feet to mila nahin saktey.8217;8217;

However, behind the lighter side of Vajpayee was the cold fact that India has no intentions on engaging Pakistan till it permanently ends cross-border terrorism in J-K. The aggressiveness with which India engaged Musharraf8217;s offensive on Monday shows that India has adopted zero tolerance on Kashmir and terrorism.

But Musharraf was not the only one at the receiving end of Vajpayee quick wit; the PM did not spare the Ayodhya issue either. When asked about the VHP8217;s plans to go ahead with temple construction at Ayodhya, Vajpayee said: 8216;8216;Abhi to hum Lanka say baat-cheet karenge.8217;8217; Vajpayee was referring to his bilateral meeting with Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunga late in the evening.