The Hindu : National : "Gap between Vajpayee, Advani being bridged"

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Monday, Sep 12, 2005

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National

"Gap between Vajpayee, Advani being bridged"

T. Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI: The ``communication gap'' between the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and Bharatiya Janata Party president L.K. Advani over the issue of expelling Madan Lal Khurana, is being bridged, according to the party vice-president, M. Venkaiah Naidu.

Pointing out that senior leaders had been meeting Mr. Advani and Mr. Vajpayee to find a solution, Mr. Naidu told The Hindu that ``there is no personal issue between Atalji and Advaniji.''

Discussions on

Hoping that the crisis would be resolved soon, Mr. Naidu said, ``Some discussions are taking place. It is natural that in the life of political parties, problems occur at certain stages. We have the ability to overcome them.''

To a question whether Mr. Vajpayee's statement, describing the expulsion as ``unfortunate", caused embarrassment to the party, Mr. Naidu said: ``I do not discuss party matters in public.''

About Mr. Khurana's open criticism of Mr. Advani's leadership, Mr. Naidu, who was here to attend the ceremony for immersion of Vinayaka idols, said if there were issues to be raised, they could be discussed at appropriate forums. He emphasised that the party was above individuals and said ``discipline has to be maintained.''

"No discrimination"

Asked why Mr. Khurana was expelled while the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Uma Bharti, was not meted out a similar treatment though she had openly challenged Mr. Advani's authority, Mr. Naidu said Ms. Bharti was immediately suspended from the party. It was only after her expression of regret that the suspension was revoked. It [the decision to take her back] was the collective decision of the party, not that of Mr. Advani. There is no question of discrimination.''

The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Kalyan Singh, also returned to the party after he repented his actions.

As regards the national executive slated for September 16-18 in Chennai, Mr. Naidu said it would take place as scheduled. He added that there was no proposal to change the Tamil Nadu unit president C.P. Radhakrishnan.

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