NEW DELHI, March 16: As a quid pro quo, the BJP has agreed to AIADMK leader J Jayalalitha's demand that "action" be taken against her political rivals DMK leader M Karunanidhi and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram based on their "indictment" by the Jain Commission. However, the BJP has also told Jayalalitha that it will consider this "action" if the final report "does not dilute" the indictment in the interim report.The BJP has assured Jayalalitha that the final report will be tabled "at the earliest." The party's calculation is that when the report -- which was submitted early this month -- is presented in Parliament, it will be difficult for the Congress, now led by Sonia Gandhi, to oppose the AIADMK demand for dismissal of the Karunanidhi government.
Incidentally, the demand to "prosecute and punish" both Karunanidhi and Chidambaram figures in the AIADMK's poll manifesto.
The BJP's assurance to Jayalalitha comes despite a clear commitment in the national agenda to devolution of more financialand political powers to states -- a clear climbdown from the Sangh Parivar's earlier pro-strong-Centre stance.
Meanwhile, the final national agenda, scheduled for release on Wednesday, also seems to have taken special care of Jayalalitha's demands. Last-minute changes are being made--by a committee comprising Jaswant Singh and regional ally leaders including George Fernandes, Mamata Banerjee and Ramakrishna Hedge -- to incorporate the AIADMK's demands as part of its "special package for Tamil Nadu."
On the question of the Cauvery dispute, the BJP has said that it was willing to accommodate Jayalalitha's "genuine aspirations" in the national water policy and would honour the Supreme Court verdict on the Cauvery water issue when it comes.
However, the BJP is not averse to providing for an overall 69 per cent reservation for SCs, STs, as well as OBCs, and the most backward castes "if the states so desire."
On the issue of according national language status to Tamil, the BJP has agreed to set up acommission to "make necessary recommendations" in respect of all the 19 official languages at present.
The much awaited national agenda for a "stable, honest, transparent and efficient government" pledges to earmark 60% of the plan funds and effect massive public investment in agriculture, rural development and irrigation, and continuation of farm subsidies making them "more direct and specific." It promises drinking water to all villages in next five years. It also intends to increase "governmental and non-governmental spending" up to six per cent of GDP to implement its education-for-all plan.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
