DMK snubbed, BJP is not sorry on Hindutva

Reacting to DMK chief M. Karunanidhi’s remarks that he will pull out of the NDA if the BJP pursued Hindutva, Naidu said the party would not make Hindutva an issue during the general elections but would instead focus on other things like development, terrorism and security.

He added that the Lok Sabha elections were still a long way off and due only in 2004. ‘‘Decisions on all issues related to polls will be taken at the time of the general elections,’’ Naidu said.

Asked whether AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa, by attending Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, was moving closer to the BJP, Naidu said it was a ‘‘goodwill gesture’’.

The BJP president said that the NDA agenda was only an arrangement at the Centre between the BJP and its allies and in the states, it was not binding.

Meanwhile, BJP national secretary L. Ganesan came down heavily on the DMK for its remarks. He said the BJP could not be held responsible if any party deserted the NDA. ‘‘As of now, the BJP in Tamil Nadu has no alliance with either the DMK or the AIADMK. It is for the party to decide whether it should align with either of the two in the state,’’ he added.

Ganesan also said that the BJP was not apologetic on the Hindutva issue and would strongly propagate it. He said that if some parties were disturbed because of the Hindutva issue, the BJP would not hesitate to give a befitting reply.

Asked whether the BJP was supportive of the growing demand in the AIADMK that judicial action should be taken against Karunanidhi for hurting the sentiments of the Hindus, the BJP president said: ‘‘We prefer going to a people’s court instead of the judicial court.’’