09-15-2008, 04:22 AM
<b>BJP demands revival of POTA</b>
Bangalore (PTI): The serial blasts in Delhi provided a fresh grist to the BJP mill to demand revival of the tough anti-terror law POTA at the national executive that provided a larger than life image for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi campaigning for a similar law in the state.
However, at the end of the three-day conclave of top leaders, concerns over discipline in the party came to the fore especially against the backdrop of leaders speaking against possible alliances in the coming elections.
The meet finalised the election strategy with Advani asking the party to immediately come into a "must win" mode with unity in thought, strategy and action".
It wanted the party to take the lead in strengthening the NDA, and also "expanding it in the coming days".
Advani, who strongly backs Modi on the tough state law which is pending with the Centre, said in his valedictory address "if the people give us the mandate to form the next government in New Delhi, we shall bring back POTA, recommend Presidential assent for state-specific anti-terror laws and take other tough laws within the first 100 days".
A highlight of the deliberations was the growing profile of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who appeared to be projected as someone more than a party Chief Minister, and even Advani praising his administrative skills in the matter of development as also tackling terrorism.
Ahead of the elections, the party appeared worried over dissenting remarks made by leaders over alliances. The BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate said he was "deeply upset" over the tendency exhibited by some people to speak out of turn and even make public statements about prospective alliances and other aspects of the party's election strategy.
Dropping clear hints that indiscipline won't be tolerated, Advani said these and " other negative" trends that give rise to perception of disunity in the party must be firmly curbed.
"Internal democracy in the BJP is our strength. It should not be allowed to become a handicap".
On scouting for new allies, Advani said "it is the need of the hour, especially in those states where the BJP is yet to grow into a formidable force".
Seeking to disapprove certain leaders in states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana who have spoken against alliances, he said: "Sound alliance politics requires a proper mindset, which is sometimes lacking".
The saffron party is in keen on securing allies to recapture power at centre and are in talks with INLD, AGP, Haryana Janhit Congress and is also looking for partners in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and some other states where it has a weak presence.
The way the BJP lost its allies ahead of the 2004 elections apparently weighed on his mind when he told the senior leaders that "let us remember that that the BJP's front-runner position in the coming Parliamentary elections will be greatly strengthend by our alliance building capabilities".
The BJP veteran also sought to remind the party leaders about the need to maintain ideological cohesion with the Sangh Parivar.
While he did not refer to the RSS or Sangh Parivar, his remark that "the costly mistakes we committed earlier, especially at the time of the NDA government, must not be repeated" was an indication enough.
Bangalore (PTI): The serial blasts in Delhi provided a fresh grist to the BJP mill to demand revival of the tough anti-terror law POTA at the national executive that provided a larger than life image for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi campaigning for a similar law in the state.
However, at the end of the three-day conclave of top leaders, concerns over discipline in the party came to the fore especially against the backdrop of leaders speaking against possible alliances in the coming elections.
The meet finalised the election strategy with Advani asking the party to immediately come into a "must win" mode with unity in thought, strategy and action".
It wanted the party to take the lead in strengthening the NDA, and also "expanding it in the coming days".
Advani, who strongly backs Modi on the tough state law which is pending with the Centre, said in his valedictory address "if the people give us the mandate to form the next government in New Delhi, we shall bring back POTA, recommend Presidential assent for state-specific anti-terror laws and take other tough laws within the first 100 days".
A highlight of the deliberations was the growing profile of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who appeared to be projected as someone more than a party Chief Minister, and even Advani praising his administrative skills in the matter of development as also tackling terrorism.
Ahead of the elections, the party appeared worried over dissenting remarks made by leaders over alliances. The BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate said he was "deeply upset" over the tendency exhibited by some people to speak out of turn and even make public statements about prospective alliances and other aspects of the party's election strategy.
Dropping clear hints that indiscipline won't be tolerated, Advani said these and " other negative" trends that give rise to perception of disunity in the party must be firmly curbed.
"Internal democracy in the BJP is our strength. It should not be allowed to become a handicap".
On scouting for new allies, Advani said "it is the need of the hour, especially in those states where the BJP is yet to grow into a formidable force".
Seeking to disapprove certain leaders in states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana who have spoken against alliances, he said: "Sound alliance politics requires a proper mindset, which is sometimes lacking".
The saffron party is in keen on securing allies to recapture power at centre and are in talks with INLD, AGP, Haryana Janhit Congress and is also looking for partners in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and some other states where it has a weak presence.
The way the BJP lost its allies ahead of the 2004 elections apparently weighed on his mind when he told the senior leaders that "let us remember that that the BJP's front-runner position in the coming Parliamentary elections will be greatly strengthend by our alliance building capabilities".
The BJP veteran also sought to remind the party leaders about the need to maintain ideological cohesion with the Sangh Parivar.
While he did not refer to the RSS or Sangh Parivar, his remark that "the costly mistakes we committed earlier, especially at the time of the NDA government, must not be repeated" was an indication enough.