Tuesday, April 12 2005 19:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Joining issues with BJP, key Sangh Parivar affiliate VHP today (Apr 12, 2005) came out in support of RSS chief K S Sudarshan's suggestion that both Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani should give way to younger leadership and accused the former Prime Minister of "torpedoing" the Hindu movement.

In a no-holds barred media briefing, VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) senior vice-president Acharya Giriraj Kishore also made allegations against Vajpayee's son-in-law Ranjan Bhattacharya saying he belongs to "American lobby" and had "direct links with Italy." However, he did not elaborate.

"The RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) chief had pointed to a principle. Even Nanaji Deshmukh had set an example in BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) that those in power politics, aspiring for public office, should retire after attaining the age of 60.

"Vajpayee and Advani should now guide the party and allow the new generation to take over," he told reporters a day after both RSS and BJP sought to put a lid on the controversy fuelled by Sudarshan's interview to a television channel.

'Vajpayee torpedoed Hindu movement'

Asked why VHP too did not rate Vajpayee among the best Prime Ministers, he said, "He did not do any such thing. He torpedoed the Hindu movement. He talked about a fight to finish (Aar Paar Ki Ladai) with regard to Pakistan but nothing happened. The country's Defence Minister (George Fernandes) was frisked but he did not do anything. The country needs a brilliant Prime Minister, not somebody who compromises."

On Sudarshan's charge that Vajpayee and Advani did not do enough on the Ayodhya issue, he said, "both leaders did not perform their due role. Now, they are remembering Ayodhya. Ayodhya should not become a ladder for them."

"We feel sad when a family member hides things from the family," Kishore said referring to Vajpayee. On whether the RSS chief himself and the VHP leaders should step down keeping in view the age factor, he said, "They are not holding posts of profit. It is not applicable to social service where one can continue till health permits. Vajpayee and Advani too are welcome to do social service."

'RSS not under pressure'

Dismissing suggestions that the RSS was "under pressure" from the BJP and had "backtracked" on its own chief's statement, he said, "it was only an explanation as BJP misinterpreted Sudarshan's statement".

"The Sangh does not directly interfere but only gives proper guidance which should have been taken in the right spirit (by the BJP). Our role is only advisory," he said.

Asked about Sudarshan's charge about Vajpayee's then principal secretary Brajesh Mishra's links with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, he said, "on certain basis, we too had information. We know about his family also."

Asked who were the "brilliant" leaders who could replace Vajpayee and Advani, he said, "Narendra Modi, Uma Bharati and Murli Manohar Joshi. Vasundhara Raje is also there".

On Sudarshan backing Sushma Swaraj, Kishore said, "her image is good but she does not have a mass base".

While defending the RSS chief's remarks against Uma Bharati, he said, "she is a people's leader though moody".

On BJP reaffirming its faith in the leadership of Vajpayee and Advani, he said, "It is expected of them." Kishore also asserted that the episode will not affect the prestige of RSS.