Thursday, June 16 2005 17:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Mounting a frontal attack on the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) for asking party President L K Advani to quit politics, Bihar BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) chief Sushil Kumar Modi today (Jun 16, 2005) said it seemed 'some VHP leaders are playing into the hands of Congress'.

''Advani never gave a certificate that Jinnah was a secular leader. After the clarifications given by the BJP, VHP leaders have been making statements, which are objectionable. It seems that they are playing into the hands of the Congress,'' Modi, a former BJP vice-president, told reporters in Kolkata. Continuing his tirade against the VHP, Modi advised the VHP leaders to keep their house in order and desist from meddling in the internal affair of the BJP.

''VHP has no right to interfere in the internal matters of BJP. Some people may differ with Advani, but his (Advani's) patriotism and commitment to Hindutva can never be questioned. BJP workers will not tolerate such statements against Advani,'' he said.

To a question, Modi said that the recent controversy on Advani's resignation would not have any impact in the coming assembly election in Bihar scheduled to be held sometime in October-November this year.

Misrule of RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) and the dissolution of the State assembly, he said, would be the two key issues in the assembly poll.

Accusing Advani of having 'betrayed' the Hindu cause, VHP has asked him to quit politics and urged the BJP to replace him with a pro-Hindu leader.