This was stated by BJP general secretary Sumitra Mahajan, who is also in charge of Gujarat State, at a press conference in the city on Sunday evening. Mahajan arrived here in Surat for the first time after taking over as in-charge of the State.

Expressing satisfaction over the organisational structure in the State, she stated that while the party workers and different samitis ``were enthusiastic and disciplined, the performance of the State government was equally good.''

When informed of the factionalism within the ruling BJP, both at the city- as well as the state-level, Mahajan admitted the differences among workers but claimed that these were neither widespread nor likely to cause harm to the party.

Stating that the rally was organised only by the State BJP, she added that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Union Home Minister Lal Krishna Advani would also remain present for the rally. ``More than three lakh workers from all over the state will be present for the rally,'' she said.

She chose the occasion to list down the achievements of the Central government including the Lahore bus trip, the Pokharan nuclear blasts, solving the Cauvery dispute and other steps to drive home her point that the Central government was working with a definite purpose and direction.

When reminded of the crisis that the BJP-led coalition was going through as a result of pressures from allies, the leader claimed, ``The Vajpayee government will last its full term and relations with our allies are cordial.''

Mahajan assured reporters that she would take up the recent seizure of accounts of co-operative banks by the Income Tax department ``at the highest level'', although city BJP president Pravin Naik maintained that it was a Central government matter and that they could not do much about it. However, Union textiles minister Kashiram Rana, who was also present said that it was true that the notice issued by the IT department would definitely damage the co-operative movement in South Gujarat.

The leader was visibly agitated when a reporter suggested that one reason why the bill providing reservation for women in Parliament was not being passed was because there were no eligible candidates. ``It is not proper to make such a discrimination. Men, who are in Parliament for years have not said a word. The BJP is ready for 33 per cent reservation. What we require is support to get it passed,'' she shot back. Mahajan, who described herself as an organisational worker -- she has been a corporator, deputy mayor, and MP from Indore city for the past four terms -- said that the organisational structure of the party here was strong. Mahajan will visit other places in the State before returning to Delhi after a couple of days.