Observer Political Bureau
The Observer
May 12, 1999
Title: Congress ousted BJP Govt at foreign forces' instance: VHP Author: Observer Political Bureau Publication: The Observer Date: May 12, 1999 The Vishwa Hindu Parishad on, Tuesday made a scathing attack on Congress President Sonia Gandhi for "dislodging the Vajpayee Government and tarnishing image of the Hindu society, at the instance of foreign forces." The VHP also declared that it will not spare any effort to stop Sonia from becoming the Prime Minister of India. Taking, to newsmen here, VHP International Working President Ashok Singhal said, "foreign powers had a hand in dislodging the BJP-led coalition as they wanted a Government which will act as per their dictates." He said that the VHP was in favour of a nationalist government headed by A B Vajpayee at the Centre and would do everything possible to prevent a lady of foreign origin from becoming the Prime Minister of India. "We will be happy to see a nationalist leader like Atal Bihari Vajpayee lead the country, not leader of foreign origin like Congress President Sonia Gandhi," Singhal said. Alleging that Sonia is dancing to the tunes of some foreign forces who do not want India to emerge strong. Singhal said, "Vajpayee government after coming to power conducted nuclear tests and proved that it would not succumb to foreign pressures. So, the foreign forces hatched a plan to control our nation through a lady of foreign origin. With this ulterior motive these forces are now trying to slake Sonia Gandhi the leader of the nation with the help of the Congress. He also charged that ever since the entry of Sonia Gandhi into politics there had been a spurt in the activities of Christian missionaries. "Sonia Is trying to use the church and Christian missionaries to promote her political interest," Singhal said. Charging Sonia Gandhi with using the church as a political tool, he said "Indian National Congress has been transformed into Catholic Congress ever since Sonia Gandhi has assumed leadership of the party." Asked whether VHP had some understanding with Samajwadi Party, which also raked up the issue of Sonia Gandhi's foreign origin, Singhal replied in the negative and said "Sonia Gandhi will be a liability for Congress rather than an asset." Asked whether VHP would continue to support BJP as contentious issues like Ayodhya did not figure in the National Agenda of BJP and its allies, he said temple construction was the job of saints who undertook a movement for this purpose. Singhal refused to say whether VHP accepted the National Agenda mm the temple issue saying "we have nothing to do with the National Agenda. It is up to the Government as to how the administration is run." He said supporting Atal Bihari Vajpayee for Prime Ministership and helping in temple building were equally important for the VHP which sought to protect the interest of Hindus through its 40-point "Hindu Agenda." The VHP leader said that work for building Ram Temple was progressing in full swing.
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