Bjp Downplays Akali Threat

The BJP yesterday downplayed the threat to the Vajpayee government from the Akali Dal over the possibility that the Sikh-dominated Udham Singh Nagar district could be included in the proposed Uttarakhand state. The cabinet has decided against its inclusion but the party now has to contend with protests from Uttar Pradesh, including its state unit.

Party General Secretary M Venkaiah Naidu said the prime minister and the home minister would discuss the issue with Akali leaders and sort out the issue amicably at the appropriate time. "There is no hurry," he added.

Naidu revealed that a couple of the BJP's allies in Uttar Pradesh wanted Haridwar also to be excluded and that many in the UP Assembly did not want to allow the bill recommending the formation of the state with changed boundaries to be passed. He explained that, even after the cabinet decision had gone to the President, it had to go back to the UP assembly to be recommended afresh and then come before Parliament for passage. It would take time, he said. He also argued that the BJP's hands were tied since it was part of a coalition government. Asked by some reporters about the delay in granting statehood to Delhi, Naidu said that the BJP's state unit had opposed the centre's demarkation of a National Capital Territory because it would lose much revenue if areas like Connaught Place were excluded from the state.

 

When a reporter asked Naidu why Parliamentary Affairs Minister ML Khurana had stated that the bill was ready and would be introduced in Parliament a couple of days later, if the state unit had objections, Naidu looked glassy-eyed for a moment before saying: "He is a minister. He has more information than I do."

The BJP is evidently relieved that some progress has been made towards the resolution of the prickly Cauvery waters issue, over which AIADMK had threatened to withdraw her party's support. The Congress is also satisfied with the government's handling of the Jain Commission's report on Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, which could also have become a flashpoint of instability.