informal chat with mediapersons he said keeping in view the surcharged atmosphere in the state, the BJP had agreed not to make “Godhra” an issue during the election campaign. Mr Narinder Modi, Chief Minister, had subsequently declared that it would not be made an issue. However, the Congress ‘could not overcome the temptation to exploit the communal riots’ to gain electoral advantage, he said.Mr Vajpayee said what had happened in Gujarat was unfortunate and the party which came to power after the elections would have to work for strengthening communal harmony. The BJP would not administer the bitter pill of communalism for electoral gains as, after, all political parties had to run the government and work for development. “Behavioural change” was a must to achieve communal harmony.
Referring to the political change in Pakistan, he said the appointment of a new Prime Minister would not make any material change in the relations between the two countries as the centre of “real power” had not changed. Moreover, the new Prime Minister had already announced that there would be no change in Pakistan’s policy on Kashmir.
He said Pakistan was obsessed with Kashmir and did not want to talk on any other issue. However, India would not hold talks until Pakistan put a stop to cross-border terrorism in Kashmir. There had been some decline in terrorist infilteration from across the border, but it was still continuing. Hence, the situation was not conducive for talks. Regarding the forthcoming SAARC meet in Pakistan, he said he could consider attending it only if cross-border terrorism was stopped altogether. He said Kashmir was not a SAARC issue but Pakistan’s sole concern was Pakistan. The decision for economic cooperation taken at the earlier meetings had not been implemented.
He admitted that the process of economic reforms was not progressing at the desired pace. It had been a mixed scenario. States which were opposing reforms at the Centre wanted to implement these in the states where they were in power. The Congress had initiated the reform process and the NDA government was pursuing it in right earnest. There should be no change in the stand of the parties on this crucial issue because of elections. A broad consensus should be evolved to speed up the process, he emphasised.
Mr Vajpayee denied differences within the BJP and the NDA were coming in the way of reforms. He also denied that reforms were squeezing job opportunities and said there had been a decline in employment in the government sector, but jobs were being created in plenty in other sectors. The construction of national highways, housing projects and implementation of various industrial projects had created new employment opportunities and maximum jobs had been generated in the information technology sector.
Regarding an economic package for Himachal Pradesh to tide over the financial crisis, he said his government had extending all possible assistance to the state hydel projects involving an investment of over Rs 15,000 crore.
The centre had also finalised a package of incentives to encourage industrialisation in backward areas for Himachal and Uttaranchal which would be approved by the Cabinet soon. Under the package, concessions like exemption in income tax and excise duty to new industries would be allowed in identified backward districts.
Mr Vajpayee later attended the marriage reception of Anuraag Thakur, son of the Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal. He leaves for Delhi tomorrow.
