Pioneer News Service / New Delhi
The Pioneer
May 3, 1999
Title: NAG adopted as BJP's manifesto Author: Pioneer News Service / New Delhi Publication: The Pioneer Date: May 3, 1999 Endorsing the adoption of the National Agenda for Governance (NAG) as its manifesto, the BJP decided to centre its high-power poll campaign around Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is seen as the coalition's USP. Addressing newspersons Union Home Minister L K Advani, who is sure of BJP and its allies winning the elections with a clear majority, said "the confidence is based on two factors -- people's admiration for Mr Vajpayee and anger against destabilisers." Ruling out any electoral tie-up with Mr Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party, Mr Advani said "there is no question of any alliance with SP." He said the NAG would be "updated" to include viewpoints of allies likely to join the BJP-led coalition, hinting at the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). It would also make the existing allies more comfortable in facing the general elections. This means the contentious issues of the BJP's 1998 manifesto would not figure in its poll document for the forthcoming elections. The BJP-led front, the party sources said would be given a formal nomenclature soon. The BJP completely into the "coalition mode" would mean it is keen on any notion of being big brother. The State units' reports, submitted at the national executive, have unequivocally pointed out that Mr Vajpayee's leadership is the single point of reference for the voters and the central dividing line for political parties. The meeting on Sunday was entirely devoted to poll strategies vis-a-vis fresh allies. On seat adjustments with Janata Dal in Bihar, Orissa and Karnataka, it was felt the BJP State units should ensure their political commitment at Centre also."The JD cannot reap benefit in State and oppose Mr Vajpayee's leadership at Centre," a BJP official pointed out. The party passed a political resolution attaching a great significance to party's electoral tie-up with regional parties to form a formidable front. In his concluding remarks to the national executive, Mr Vajpayee emphatically said: "Our allies are valuable partners. Our relationship with them is not only for political gain. It has a wider socio-cultural significance. By sharing power with them at the Centre, and by collectively conducting the affairs of governance with a national outlook, our alliance has contributed greatly to the strengthening of India's unity and integrity." Cautioning the members against being over-confident, he urged them to work hard with the single-minded determination to win. At the meeting, the State party units were told they should have cordial equations with the allies in their respective regions. Let "give and take" be the theme and "differences should be resolved amicably." The BJP, which contested 379 seats in the last general elections, has decided to field more candidates this time. "The general feeling at the meeting was that as the BJP was suitably placed it should go for more seats," a senior leader said, adding "on seat-sharing with allies, the BJP feels they won't have to concede more to their political partners." Earlier, to a query Mr Advani said "there's no doubt that Mr Vajpayee would contest elections. He will contest from the same he stood last time. The election committee will finalise. The party wants Mr Vajpayee to contest." Referring to the government achievements, he said: "The BJP's victory is guaranteed by the five B's; Bomb (national security), bus to Pakistan 9peace with neighbours), Bihar (protection of dalits and ending the politics of criminalisation), Budget (sound pro-people and pro-Indian economic policies) and betrayal (the Congress-led opposition's callous disregard for stability). Mr Advani said the BJP and allies' victory, for the first time, will blow the myth and the lie that only the Congress can give a stable government. "Once this myth is shattered, it will also simultaneously disprove another well-cultivated myth: namely, that only a person belonging to the Gandhi-Nehru dynasty can rule India." The party's political resolution attacked the Congress and left for indulging in devious destabilising game plan. The AIADMK was criticised for betraying not only the Government of which it was a part, but also for betraying the people of Tamil Nadu. The Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal were referred as "the casteist and criminal forces".
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