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ELECTIONS '96

Vajpayee appeals for consensus, says onus of stability is on opposition as well

Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Atal Bihari Vajpayee today said he does not foresee any problem for his government, which will be guided by a national agenda for governance, and take into account the interests of the people and the nation as a whole.

Vajpayee, who was elected leader of the BJP parliamentary party on Saturday, said it is as much the responsibility of the opposition as of the government to provide stability to the country.

"I am committed to seek consensus inside and outside the House on all important social, political and national security issues," he said in a statement.

He said it was time to set aside partisan considerations and vigorously pursue goals that are common to all, which is the well-being of the largest number of people.

He said only a responsive government and a responsible opposition can together ensure a stable, able and clean government.

Vajpayee, who is holding consultations with leaders of the BJP's allies on evolving a national agenda and ministry formation, said the primary goal of the new government should be to provide a stable government, an able government and a clean government. "It is definitely our goal."

This was definitely not the time to revive antagonisms of the past or persist with the bitterness that came to the fore during the elections, he said.

The BJP leader said the new government would have to immediately set itself to the task of addressing issues that affect the common people. "It has to be a government that concerns itself with national issues."

This is the second statement issued by Vajpayee since the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections, in which he had given emphasis to evolving a national consensus on important issues.

UNI

Elections '98

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