Wednesday, June 15 2005 14:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Haridwar: In a snub to Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president L K Advani categorically refused to apologise for his controversial statements in Pakistan, prompting the Sangh Parivar outfits to demand that he quit politics.

"I have already said what I had to say," the BJP chief is understood to have told Pejawar Mutt Swami Vishvesh Teerth when the latter telephoned him yesterday (Jun 14, 2005) during the meeting of VHP's Kendriya Maargdarshak Mandal (Central Advisory Board) in Haridwar, sources said.

The Swami conveyed VHP's concern over a statement on Babri Masjid demolition, Akhand Bharat and Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Teerth, along with Swami Paramanand Saraswati, General Secretary of the influential Akhara Parishad and a sizeable section of Hindu religious leaders gathered here had expressed reservation over the meeting adopting resolutions against Advani.

These religious leaders maintained that Advani made yeoman's contribution to the cause of 'Hindutva' with his 'Ram Rath Yatra' and that he should be given another opportunity.

They also felt that religious leaders should not get involved in castigating any individual leader.

Reacting to VHP's resolution, BJP Spokesman Prakash Javadekar had yesterday said, "We out rightly reject the suggestion of VHP. Advani is BJP president as well as leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and he will continue to hold these posts."

Though RSS has chosen not to comment on the resolution against Advani, VHP leaders on conditions of anonymity claimed it had the backing of the Sangh and it was adopted after being read out to a senior RSS leader.

VHP General Secretary Praveen Togadia said, "I believe we have spoken to whomsoever we felt was necessary." Asked about RSS's public stand that the controversy over Advani's remarks was a closed chapter, he told sources "for us it is not. VHP is bound by whatever the religious leaders decide."

In an attempt to avoid a direct confrontation with Advani, the Pejawar mutt chief had telephoned the former from the meeting venue itself, the sources said.

Livid with Advani's response, VHP leaders pressed for the adoption of the resolution saying on arrival from Pakistan, he had only called upon a debate on the issue. They also dismissed the Swami's plea for giving time to Advani saying the next meeting of the Mandal would be held only six months later and that much time cannot be given.

The sources said VHP wanted to ride on "anti-Advani wave" to win back its core constituency, which was disillusioned with BJP's dilution of 'Hindutva'.

Later VHP sources attributed the Pejawar Swami's pro-Advani stand to his disciple and BJP leader Uma Bharti, who has of late been trying to build bridges with the party President.