Panaji (Goa): Moderates led by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee appeared to have gained an upper hand over the Hindutva votaries at the BJP's (Bharatiya Janata Party) brain storming session which concluded in Panaji (Goa) today with the party avoiding some of its pet words and deciding to continue to work with its NDA (National Democratic Alliance) allies.

After the end of the three-day 'Chintan Baithak', the party came out with a 10-point "document of conclusions" to strengthen the organisation with focus on ideological orientation and to continue with the NDA experiment.

Addressing a press conference at the end of the session at Dona Paula, near here, BJP president Venkaiah Naidu did not once mention the word 'Hindutva' or refer to its euphemism 'cultural nationalism'. He instead chose the term 'nationalism' in what seemed to be an exercise in redefining the party's philosophy.

"The party's direction would continue to be guided on the twin commitments on nationalism and development. There is no question of leaving the path of development. Both are inseparable. Without nationalist feelings, you cannot have development.

"And without economic upliftment, strong security and due respect to each section of the society and taking care of their aspirations, you cannot talk of nationalism," he said.

Asked why the party was not referring to 'Hindutva' and whether 'nationalism' included 'Hindutva', Naidu said, "It includes everything. It means above jaativad (casteism)".

He also asserted that while the party had "better relations" with the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh), the Sangh will not interfere in politics.

The BJP chief claimed that even RSS leader Madan Das Devi, who attended the conclave, had stressed that terminology was not important and the party should focus on its core idealism of 'nation first'.

According to party sources, senior leaders including Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had expressed the view that Hindutva should be "harmoniously integrated" with the party's social expansion plans.

However, Vajpayee, who is also the chairman of the NDA Parliamentary group, emphasised on the need to keep the opposition alliance intact. He said all efforts should be made to keep the NDA united as the party endeavoured to grow further.

Naidu asserted today the party's campaign to reach out to minorities would continue "without compromising on basics".