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I have no faith in Musharraf: Advani

"I have no faith in President Musharraf, but I have confidence in our foreign policy and our capability to make the world realise that if a country is propagating terrorism, the international opinion should be very clear about it," he said.

Asked what would happen if Pakistan did not mend its ways, Advani said, "We will do whatever has to be done. This is not announced beforehand."

Recalling the Agra summit in July last year, he told Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh mouthpiece Panchajanya that Musharraf was adamant on not accepting the fact that there was terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

But when it was pointed out to him that women and children were being killed in the state, Musharraf maintained that in any freedom struggle, innocents were killed. But during the Almaty security summit last month, he had to change his stand because of international pressure and India's efforts, Advani said.

He asserted that the return of Kashmiri pandits to the Valley would be a test of India's anti-terrorism drive in the state.

On the question of autonomy to the state, he said it was not a big deal, although he would prefer to use the expression decentralisation of power. "But if they want restoration of pre-1953 position, then we cannot consider it," he said.

When asked how he perceived his elevation to the post of deputy prime minister, Advani said it would certainly strengthen his position to take decisions.

Advani said that earlier he used to do certain things because he enjoyed the confidence of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the Bharatiya Janata Party. "But after the prime minister's decision to elevate me, such confidence has been formalised," he said.

The reshuffle in the Cabinet and the BJP was considered at the Goa national executive, which met after the defeat of the party in the recent assembly elections and the riots in Gujarat, he said.

"The reshuffle that has been brought about is radical, particularly swapping of portfolios by Jaswant Singh and Yashwant Sinha and my own elevation."

On the significance of the NDA partners approving his promotion despite his image of being a hardliner, a rathyatri and one close to the Sangh Parivar, Advani said, "If a person has a certain line of thinking, it will have its limitations."

"In 1996, when I announced the name of Vajpayee for prime ministership, it was not because he was senior to me or had more experience, but because I felt that in a country like India, he would be more acceptable," Advani said.

PTI

Terrorism Strikes in Jammu and Kashmir: The complete coverage

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