Kullu (HP): Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (Jun 12, 2004) admitted for the first time that Gujarat riots were one of the reasons for BJP's (Bharatiya Janata Party) defeat in the Lok Sabha elections.

"It is very difficult to say what are all the reasons for the defeat (of BJP) in the elections......but one impact of the violence was we lost the elections," he told reporters on his arrival for a week-long sojourn.

He was asked whether BJP lost the elections due to Gujarat riots.

Asked whether BJP mishandled the Gujarat issue, Vajpayee said, "That was not wrong. It was an incident, which could have further aggravated emotions."

He said the sentiments of the people during the Gujarat riots were exploited by the Opposition at that time. "They (Opposition) tried to reap political benefits out of it. But I don't blame them. This is politics and such things happen here," he said.

Vajpayee said that whatever had happened in Gujarat was unfortunate and had been condemned. "I am confident that the people of the country have decided that such a blood-bath will not be allowed to take place anywhere in future." He said it was necessary to take steps to prevent such incidents from occurring again. Asked why he did not become the Leader of Opposition, the former Prime Minister said it was good that L K Advani has taken up that responsibility. "I was the Leader earlier, now it is Advani. We share our work and responsibilities."

To a question whether he was ready to become the Prime Minister next time, he said, "I do not know what will happen then. Sonia Gandhi is not the Prime Minister, but she is the supremo of the Congress. But that has not in any way affected her work."