The Hindu : National : The key to Dispur is in BJP's hand, says Mahajan

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Friday, Feb 10, 2006

National

National

The key to Dispur is in BJP's hand, says Mahajan

Sushanta Talukdar

A non-Congress government is not possible without the support of the party

Guwahati: Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Pramod Mahajan on Thursday said that a non-Congress government in Assam was not possible without the support of his party.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Mahajan said the BJP would have enough legislators in the next Assembly and would play a crucial role in deciding the shape of the next government at Dispur.

"The key to Dispur will be in the BJP's hand," he said.

Understanding with AGP?

When asked if his party would have any understanding with the major Opposition party, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), to avoid a split in non-Congress votes, Mr. Mahajan said it was the responsibility of not only the BJP, but also of the other parties to ensure the Congress' defeat.

"We are here to defeat the Congress. If somebody with the same objective wants to support us they are welcome. If not, let us meet in the battleground," Mr. Mahajan said.

He also hinted at the BJP's joining a non-Congress government: "Given the choice, I would like to be a king and not kingmaker. But I don't believe in outside support."The senior BJP leader has been camping in the State since February 4 and has flagged off three `parivartan yatras' from three corners of the State — Dhubri, Sadiya and Jonai. He is scheduled to flag off the fourth `yatra' from Badarpur on Friday. These would culminate in a `parivartan rally' to be organised by the party on February 19, which will be addressed by newly elected BJP president Rajnath Singh.

Chargesheet soon

Mr. Mahajan announced that the party would bring out a charge sheet on February 27 against the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress Government. A vision document will be released by senior party leader Arun Shourie on March 5. Mr. Mahajan said the BJP's poll manifesto would be based on the vision document.

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