VHP to Venkaiah: you need to change

The VHP leader is currently cut up with Naidu for his statement equating the Parishad with Islamic fundamentalists across the border. And saying that the VHP’s remarks were eroding India’s authority in the fight against terrorism since they have the world a pretext to bracket India with the religious fundamentalism. Naidu had issued this statement after Singhal had criticised Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for being soft on terrorism.

Singhal told Naidu that he would not know ‘‘whatever happened in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) before March 15’’ (shila-pujan) this year. And that he could not say if Vajpayee knew it either. Whatever happened, according to him, was a big blot on the image of Vajpayee. His image could be restored if he took a comprehensive decision on Ayodhya, he said.

Professing his respect for Vajpayee, Singhal said the PM owed his position to the Ramjanmabhoomi issue. Therefore, he could not run away from it. Singhal closed the letter with an invitation to Naidu for a meeting. Sources said the letter was for the record, while Singhal had already given vent to his anger by calling up Naidu over the telephone soon after his statement appeared in the media.

Singhal confirmed having written a letter to Naidu while addressing a press conference here today.

However, he did not disclose its contents.

The VHP leader said poll results in Jammu demonstrate the reaction of Hindus. ‘‘They have foiled the NC plan to expel them from the region,’’ he claimed.

When asked about the stand of VHP president Vishnu Hari Dalmiya that the VHP’s ties with BJP are on the verge of breaking down, Singhal said, ‘‘We want them (BJP leaders) to reform.’’ The three contentious issues aside, the BJP, according to him, has disappointed Hindus on many counts, protection of the cow and the Ganges being among them.

He criticised the ‘‘obstruction’’ of the Ganges at Tehri and claimed that it runs counter to the river water’s ‘‘perennial purification process.’’