BJP tells Vajpayee to consider Jaya's demands
George Iype in New Delhi
Having bought a temporary truce with All India Anna Dravida
Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary J Jayalalitha, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his political managers have started sorting out some of her demands on a priority basis.
Although the Bharatiya Janata Party is hopeful that Jayalalitha would keep off tantrums during the ongoing Budget session of Parliament, the party leadership has reportedly suggested to the prime minister to implement some of her crucial demands to rein in the maverick southern partner.
But Jayalalitha's s single-most important demand, to dismiss the
Tamil Nadu government, will be kept in abeyance as the Vajpayee government cannot
go beyond the constitutional and legal framework within which Article 356
can be invoked.
"However, we are ready to meet some of her other demands
so that there will not be frequent war of words between Madras and New
Delhi," a BJP functionary told Rediff On The Net.
He said the AIADMK general secretary has put forward a number of equally important demands before the prime minister's emissaries - Defence Minister George Fernandes and Minister of State for Coal Dilip Ray -- who met her in Madras on Saturday.
They include dropping the Enforcement Directorate's charges against her
in the JJTV case, taking action against the Tamil Maanila Congress leaders for
their alleged involvement in the Indian Bank scam, and transfer and postings of a
number of key officials as per Jayalalitha's wishes.
Jayalalitha also wants two AIADMK leaders to be inducted into the
Union cabinet at the earliest.
During her meeting with Fernandes and Ray on Saturday, Jayalalitha explained
to them that her main grouse against the Vajpayee government was its
indifference, and the provocative statements of senior BJP leaders including Home
Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani against her.
Sensing that the Vajpayee government cannot move ahead while nursing a strained relationship with Jayalalitha, the BJP leadership has advised the prime
minister to amicably settle some of her demands.
Sources said the government will informally offer a package to Jayalalitha to
pacify her. This will include promises to take action against Sun TV, which is
owned by Murasoli Maran's family, for alleged economic
offences and investigations into the past actions of the former TMC
and DMK ministers.
The prime minister will also induct two AIADMK leaders as ministers with key
portfolios to fill in the vacancies created by former AIADMK ministers
Sedapatti Muthaiah and R K Kumar.
"We hope to pacify her by accepting all other demands except the
dismissal of the Tamil Nadu government," the BJP functionary said, adding that the prime minister and the AIADMK general secretary are also expected to have a one-to-one meeting very soon.
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