National   

RSS non-committal on support to J&K BJP candidates

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI SEPT. 6. The RSS is non-committal about extending support to Bharatiya Janata Party candidates in Jammu although the BJP and the RSS-backed Jammu State Morcha have entered into a seat-sharing arrangement. There was a strong indication from the RSS today that the BJP's game-plan of pooling their strengths in Jammu may not work in favour of the BJP.

The RSS spokesperson, M.G. Vaidya, stated categorically today that `swayamsevaks' would be duty bound to support and vote for the Morcha candidates.

The RSS executive had adopted a resolution favouring trifurcation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and the Morcha had espoused the cause of a separate Jammu state. As for BJP candidates, "normally the RSS would have supported BJP candidates in the rest (of the constituencies), but now I cannot say anything,'' Mr. Vaidya said. The reason was clear, the Vajpayee Government and the BJP had rejected the RSS formula for breaking up the state into three, Kashmir valley, Jammu and Ladakh.

Admitting that many RSS workers may have some sympathy for the BJP — "thoda bahut to BJP se lagav hai'' (we do care a little bit for the BJP) — he indicated that where there were no Morcha candidates RSS sympathisers would be left free to vote as they pleased.

The RSS was pleased that in Ladakh almost all the parties, including the BJP, the Congress and even the National Conference, had been virtually forced to support the newly formed Front which had gained immense popularity and was expected to win all the seats (including two which it would win unopposed).

Mr. Vaidya also made it clear that the Morcha will not beg for seats from the BJP. It had decided to contest wherever it had a reasonable chance of winning and could put up a credible candidate.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Planning Commission report for 100 p.c. FDI in oil sector
• RSS, Left on the same side on disinvestment issue
• CRA meet hinges on consensus over distress sharing formula
• India to ask U.S. to counsel Pak.
• National identity cards for 13 States, Union Territories
• They are 'brief house arrests'
• Navy poised to enhance operations
• Nedumaran, Mani not willing to be emissaries?
• RSS non-committal on support to J&K BJP candidates
• Hard work is the formula for success: Kalam
• No comment: Sonia
• NCW for amending Indecent Representation Act
• States asked to promote food processing units
• Cong. firm on Prabakaran's extradition
• SC to hear on Monday plea against CPC amendments
• Bill to set up National Judicial Commission soon
• Cong. for 'mission approach': Sonia
• Call off yatra, say RJD MPs
• BJP divided on powers for Delhi Govt.

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu