New Delhi: The war over hindutva between Congress and BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in
Madhya Pradesh had its echo in the BJP Parliamentary party meeting on February 18
when Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee cautioned his MPs against the 'malicious'
campaign carried out by the Congress, especially against him in the state.
"They are making all kinds of allegations against me and the party accusing us of
taking beef. We have to be cautious and counter this with an effective strategy
especially in view of the coming Assembly elections in the state," he told the
meeting, spokesman V K Malhotra told reporters in New Delhi.
The Prime Minister described as "white lie" the reports that the country's export of
cow meat had increased saying "how can it increase when we are not exporting",
Malhotra said.
He also drew members' attention to the posters being put up in Madhya Pradesh by
Congress and Youth Congress workers in the state against BJP and the party would have
to counter this.
Addressing the meeting, party president M Venkaiah Naidu said cells to monitor the
performance of Members of Parliament would be set up. A cell headed by party vice
president Harsh Vardhan will hear members' grievances.
He said the prevailing political situation in the country was in favour of the party
which he claimed was proved by some recent surveys and this has caused concern in the
ranks of the Opposition.
Naidu asked the members to adopt an aggressive approach on issues like POTA
(Prevention of Terrorism Act), national security and conversions.
Malhotra said members raised a wide range of issues, including a legislation to ban
cow slaughter, as there were still some states, which did not have such a law.
He said Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijay Singh too had supported a ban on cow
slaughter and sought to know what the Congress stand was on the issue.
The BJP leader said the party was ready for a discussion on Ayodhya in Parliament but
it appeared the Congress was not keen on it immediately.
He said the party also wanted a CBI probe into the sex scandal involving Punjab
ministers.
PTI
