Task much easier now, gloats BJP

NEW DELHI, May 16: The Sharad Pawar-led revolt against Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has come as sweet music to the ears of the BJP and its...

NEW DELHI, May 16: The Sharad Pawar-led revolt against Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has come as sweet music to the ears of the BJP and its allies. Though BJP leaders described the development as an internal affair of the Congress, they are elated that Pawar had demolished whatever little chances the party had of coming to power in the coming elections.

In his response to Pawar8217;s letter, BJP vice-president J.P.Mathur said that the issues raised in it were natural. He agreed with Pawar8217;s view that there should be a restriction on foreign-born individuals holding the high offices of President, Prime Minister and Chief Justice of India.

In the assessment of BJP leaders, the virtual revolt by Pawar, Sangma and Tariq Anwar had made their task of convincing the electorate against voting for a party led by a foreign-born individual that much more easier. 8220;We will tell the people that Congressmen themselves are against their leader,8221; said one of them.

Meanwhile, in Thiruvananthapuram BJP President KhushabhauThakre said that it was a matter of concern for the country that the Congress was projecting Sonia Gandhi as the prime ministerial candidate.

8220;Though Sonia Gandhi becoming the President of the Congress is an internal affair of that party it becomes a concern of the nation when she is projected as the prime minister,8221; he told reporters.

He said if that the Congressmen did not have anyone from the 100 crore people of this country to lead their party, they could choose anybody. 8220;But when it comes to leading the nation it is a different matter altogether,8221; he remarked.

In Mumbai, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray said that he was interested in knowing how Sonia would react to the revolt in the party at the CWC meeting tomorrow. 8220;I had already predicted last week about the formation of a third or fourth force by Pawar himself,8221; he said.

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8220;So it was not a surprise or a shock for me,8221; he added.

The Indian Youth Congress IYC and the National Students Union of India NSUI condemned the three seniorparty leaders8217; views against Sonia and said it smacked of BJP voices.

In similar statements, IYC and NSUI presidents, Manish Tewari and Meenakshi Natarajan, urged the CWC to reject the demand made by Pawar and co and take appropriate action against them.