While getting set to market peace in the Lok Sabha polls, the Sangh Parivar is taking care to send a clear message across to its hardcore Hindu constituency that Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee has remained steadfast on the issue of cross-border terrorism. This balance manifests the Parivar effort to hold on to its traditional vote as it tries diluting the Muslim hostility to BJP candidates and checking their consolidation in the rival camp.BJP president M. Venkaiah Naidu met Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha on Wednesday morning and then came out with a measured response. He said: ‘‘The BJP is of the firm view that talks with Pakistan will be meaningful only if cross-border terrorism comes to an end. We are happy to take note of the fact that India has maintained its consistent position — during their meeting with Pakistani leadership — that sustained dialogue with Pakistan would be possible only after cross-border terrorism is brought to an end. We are happy to know that Pakistan has given this assurance and is ready to move forward on the road to peace with India.’’The RSS, that always advocates a hardline over Pakistan, articulated similar views. Sangh spokesman Ram Madhav told The Indian Express: ‘‘We are satisfied with the outcome of the SAARC summit. We have been able to buttress our viewpoint on violence and terrorism effectively. Consequently, it has become a part of the joint statement. We have covered a lot of ground between Agra and Islamabad. However, we feel that we should tread with cautious optimism, rather than euphoric enthusiasm.’’The VHP, designed to articulate more hawkish views of the Parivar, stopped short of endorsing the joint statement, but did not oppose it either. VHP general secretary Pravin Togadia said here today: ‘‘Our main concern is that terrorism should end. It is for the Government to see how it does happen — through a dialogue, diplomacy or a war. If it does not happen, Pakistan should be finished.’’Having said this, Togadia did question the outcome of the talks. He underlined that ‘‘Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf should have handed over Dawood Ibrahim to Vajpayeeji if he was honest in promising that he would not allow any violence against India from his territory. Why is he sheltering him (Dawood) at Rawalpindi and Islamabad?’’The Parivar strategy is clear: Market Vajpayee as a man of peace at home and abroad, but keep your hardcore Hindu constituency intact. And, any question mark over this projection of Vajpayee would lack credence after he has been patented as a man of peace by none other than Musharraf.
