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BJP not averse to HVP's merger

By Rajesh Ahuja

CHANDIGARH, SEPT. 28. Even though the Haryana unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party would contest the forthcoming Assembly elections in the State on its own and have no tie-up with either the ruling Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) or the Haryana Vikas Party (HVP), it is not averse to the HVP merging with the BJP.

Addressing a press conference here today, the former Leader of the BJP Legislature Party, Krishan Pal Gujjar, echoed his party's stand that the HVP chief and former Chief Minister, Bansi Lal, would be welcome to join the BJP. He, however, parried questions as to whether Mr.Bansi Lal would be projected as the party's Chief Ministerial candidate in case the merger took place. While maintaining that no talks are being held with the HVP, he said it was beyond his jurisdiction to answer these questions. Recently, the President of the Haryana unit of the BJP, Ganeshi Lal, and the former Ambala Lok Sabha MP, Rattan Lal Kataria, had indicated that Mr.Bansi Lal was not only welcome to merge the HVP in the BJP but could also be projected as the party's candidate for Chief Minister. The son of Mr.Bansi Lal and HVP Secretary-General, Surender Singh, had also indicated recently that the HVP was again drawing closer to the BJP. It may be recalled that the BJP had pulled down the Bansi Lal regime in 1999 and paved the way for the installation of Mr. Om Prakash Chautala as the Chief Minister. According to sources, Mr.Bansi Lal may not have forgiven the BJP for ditching him but changing ground realities and political compulsions could bring about rapproachment, it is being said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Gujjar asserted that there was no question reviving the party's alliance with the INLD even though Mr.Chautala was trying to extend the olive branch to senior BJP and NDA leaders. Rather, launching an attack on the INLD regime, he charged that those close to the Chief Minister were allegedly running gambling dens in the State in general and the Faridabad Gurgaon belts in particular. The BJP would launch an agitation in this connection soon and submit a memorandum to the Governor.

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