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TDP seeks clarification from PM

The Telugu Desam Party, a key ally of the National Democratic Alliance government, Saturday demanded a clarification from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his remarks on the Ayodhya issue before Monday, to "reduce communal tension in the state".

At a press conference after two-hour meeting of party parliamentarians, Telugu Desam Parliamentary Party's K Y Naidu maintained that the prime minister's remarks on the controversial issue over two days were "uncalled for, unwarranted and unnecessary".

"Before Monday, the prime minister should come out with a clarification on his remarks which have created confusion. Otherwise, tension between Hindus and Muslims will arise," K Y Naidu said.

Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu, who presided over the meeting of the TDPP, preferred not to interact with the media.

K Y Naidu and C Ramachandraiah said that the TDP had extended support from outside to the Vajpayee-led coalition government only on the basis of the national agenda of governance -- the common minimum agenda, which sought to keep out contentious issues such as construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya, abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution and imposition of a common civil code.

"There can be no compromise over the common minimum agenda. The TDP is committed to upholding secularism, communal harmony and maintaining the unity and integrity of the country. We are continuing to abide by the common minimum agenda. As head of the coalition government, the prime minister should strictly confine to the common minimum agenda without deviation," K Y Naidu said.

K Y Naidu took pains to point out that the TDP was the first among NDA allies to react to the comments on December 6. "We immediately reacted and raised the issue. I met the prime minister and sought a clarification. The PM has given a categorical assurance that he will stick to the national agenda of governance without deviation. He clarified that the site in Ayodhya will be used for temple construction if there is consensus among Hindus and Muslims," he pointed out.

Ramachandraiah said that "till now, there has been no deviation from the common agenda. The BJP may have its own agenda but since it is part of the coalition government, it has to strictly adhere to the NDA agenda. We are very strict in ensuring compliance with the NDA agenda.''

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