Bjp Asks Vajpayee To Explain Statement On Gujarat

The party is not for dissolution of the House, but for reinstatement of the Sureshbhai Mehta government in the state.

According to a leader who attended the Tuesday's meeting, Vajpayee was told that his statement had confused BJP legislators in Gujarat. It had created a volatile situation by sending the wrong signal that the party was trying for dissolution of the Assembly. Obviously, the party fears that Vajpayee's statement might lead to some MLAs crossing over to the dissidents' side in order to avoid elections. While giving the reason for demanding dissolution, Vajpayee contended that his statement did not contradict the party's official stand on Gujarat. What he was saying was that it would be better to dissolve the Assembly rather than keeping it in suspended animation as the latter could lead to horse trading and subvert justice in the state.

He argued that the party's demand for revival of the Assembly and restoration of the Suresh Mehta government also aimed at protecting the BJP government and hence there were no differences between his stand and the party's official stand. Vajpayee was given a hint by the party's senior leadership not to stress on dissolution of the Assembly as it would compound the confusion already prevailing in political circles over the Gujarat situation.

A party source said Vajpayee's statement was not accidental and reflected his carefully considered view over the Gujarat crisis. Ever since Rashtriya Janata Party chief Shanker Sinh Vaghela's maha Gujarat rally on August 20 Vajpayee has held the opinion that the BJP should be ready to sacrifice the government than indulging in political one-upmanship with the dissidents. His principled stand contradicted with party President Advani and his supporters who wanted to save the Gujarat government at any cost, sources added.

In an attempt to underplay Vajpayee's statement, BJP general secretary Venkaiah Naidu yesterday asserted that there was no difference between Vajpayee and the party on the political developments in Gujarat. He said that Vajpayee was quoted out of context.