Vajpayee is enthusiastic about 'yatras': Advani

New Delhi, Apr 4 (UNI) Senior BJP leader L.K. Advani today asserted that former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had, in fact, blessed the 'yatra' being undertaken by him from April 6 and not advised him against undertaking it.

''Mr Vajpayee is very enthusiastic about the twin Suraksha Yatras to be taken out by me (Advani) and Rajnathji," Mr Advani said, when his attention was drawn to a newspaper report which quoted Mr Vajpayee as having told him that it was very inopportune to go on such yatras now.

''It is amazing was the reaction of Mr Vajpayee when I spoke to him today about the report," the former Deputy Prime Minister said.

Mr Advani said the 'Suraksha Yatras' enjoyed the support of all Sangh Parivar units as they were meant to ''educate the people about the dangers of the appeasement policy being pursued by the UPA Government,''.

When pointed out that the VHP was opposing the yatras, Mr Advani said it was not so. ''It is only a question of perception.'' To a question whether they would again be talking about the Ayodhya issue during the yatras, he said the BJP was committed to constructing a grand Ram Temple at Ayodhya "with the consensus" of the minority community. ''We have not given up our temple agenda,''he added.

UNI KAS AT DS1437