BJP to work for consensus on contentious issues
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, Aug 26 — The BJP today stated that it would try to evolve a consensus among its allies on contentious issues like Ayodhya, Article 370 and the common civil code.

"We are first bound by what has been agreed with our allies in the NDA. However, we would try to evolve a consensus on these contentious issues and would solve them amicably like the Cauvery issue," the BJP spokesperson, Mr Venkaiah Naidu, told newspersons here today.

Reiterating that these issues were not on the agenda of the BJP as these were not part of the manifesto, Mr Naidu said "we would not force our views on the allies and we are committed to implementing what has been agreed upon with them."

Mr Naidu said, the BJP even if it secured a majority on its own, would form the government along with the allies and would abide by the NDA manifesto.

Criticising the stability plank of the Congress, he said "how can they point a finger at us when they are themselves forging alliances or having seat adjustment with other parties."

"If coalition parties cannot give a stable government, then by the same logic the Congress with its poll alliances and seat adjustment cannot give a stable government," Mr Naidu stated.

He also announced that the BJP and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had reached an agreement on seat sharing in Orissa. While the BJP would contest on nine seats, the BJD would contest on 12 seats, the same number it contested in the last general elections.

While welcoming the role of the Election Commission (EC) in unearthing 1387 duplicate ballot boxes from seven districts in Bihar, the BJP urged the EC to take the nation into its confidence over measures it was taking to ensure a free and fair poll.

"It is not clear whether the thorough checking in other districts was on or was in the process. We request the EC to make a categorical statement on the disturbing news coming from Bihar," Mr Naidu said, adding that "in the absence of any statement from the EC, the electorate would not be sure whether there were duplicate boxes in other districts also."