BJP tries to downplay Thackeray statement on Muslims

BJP tries to downplay Thackeray statement on Muslims
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI, DEC 18: The BJP sought to downplay the statement of ally and Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray calling for disenfranchisement of Muslims in the country while the Congress describing it as ``shocking''.

``We have to examine the context in which it was said,'' BJP spokesman V.K. Malhotra said, adding however that his party was against disenfranchising any citizen.

The Congress demanded that Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee and NDA convener George Fernandes should speak out on the controversial call by Thackeray and spell out their reaction on this issue.

Party spokesperson Margaret Alva also sought their reaction on BJP chief Bangaru Laxman's remark that his party would not accept the court verdict on the Ayodhya issue and would launch a national campaign even if Home Minister L.K. Advani was found guilty. The Government should also react to Advani's passing adverse comments on the CBI's functioning, she said.

Alva was of the view that Vajpayee's statement on the Ayodhya issue had set off a chain reaction and strengthened the voices of those who were trying to weaken the secular fabric of the country.