VHP vs Vajpayee

LUCKNOW, Jan 1: KASHI and Mathura have never been on the BJP's agenda'' BJP leader AB Vajpayee. Lal Krishna Advani has already spilled ...

LUCKNOW, Jan 1:

8220;KASHI and Mathura have never been on the BJP8217;s agenda8221; BJP leader AB Vajpayee.

8220;Lal Krishna Advani has already spilled the beans on the BJP8217;s stand on the two shrines at Kashi and Mathura8221;8211; Vishwa Hindu Parishad VHP general secretary Ashok Singhal.

The contradictory messages emanating from the Sangh Parivar juggernaut about its stand on sensitive issues like the Krishnajanmabhoomi and Kashi temples were brought into sharp focus by the war of words that has broken out between the BJP8217;s Prime Ministerial nominee Atal Behari Vajpayee and the VHP8217;s firebrand leader Ashok Singhal.

8220;There is no difference between BJP and VHP on the temple issue. Their language might be different, but ideologically we are one,8221; Singhal said in Ayodhya yesterday.

Singhal8217;s statement effectively rebuts Vajpayee8217;s claim that the BJP and VHP were different organisations with different agendas and that the BJP had nothing to do with the VHP. 8220;Kashi and Mathura have never been on the BJP8217;s agenda,8221; he had claimed in Lucknow two days ago.

Singhal, however, said Vajpayee8217;s assertion notwithstanding both the VHP and BJP were unanimous in their opinion on disputed Hindu shrines. But Singhal did not comment on Advani8217;s statement later denying having made any categorical statement on Kashi and Mathura being a part of the BJP8217;s agenda.Senior party leaders like Vajpayee want to play down the contentious issue in order to enhance the party8217;s acceptability especially among the minorities. VHP leaders on the other hand have stepped up pressure on the BJP not to abdicate its staunch Hindutva stand.

8220;By diluting its stand on disputed shrines, the BJP would lose support of Hindutva hardliners who were instrumental in bringing the party to power in at least four states including UP in 1989,8221; said a state-level VHP functionary.

The Sangh Parivar appears to have crafted its strategy very carefully. Asked whether strident Hindutva propaganda won8217;t have an adverse reaction among minority communities especially Muslims, Singhal shot back, 8220;Don8217;t you think their reaction will generate a counter-reaction as well.8221;

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Contrary to common perception the BJP and VHP might not be working at cross purposes, political observers feel. By presenting a liberal face the BJP hopes to win over an electorally crucial section of minorities and to win over more allies in case a clear majority still eludes them in the 12th Lok Sabha. The VHP8217;s hardline on the other hand, is expected to keep the BJP8217;s Hindutva brigade in good humour.

Earlier, Singhal had warned Muslims to give up their claim to Mathura and Kashi lest an 8220;Ayodhya is repeated8221; there. 8220;If they don8217;t forfeit their claim over the two shrines, VHP will have to forcibly liberate them,8221; Singhal threatened at a press conference in Lucknow last week.

But Vajpayee refused to react to Singhal8217;s statement. 8220;You better put these questions to Singhal himself. We don8217;t have any commitment to VHP8217;s Hindu agenda,8221; he told reporters .