MPs want BJP to distance themselves from 'individual ventures'

New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) Concerned about the BJP suffering the embarassment of defending its senior leader and former Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh on the issue of the alleged 'mole' in the PMO during former PM Narasimha Rao's tenure, party MPs have mounted pressure on leadership to distance itself from ''individual ventures.'' The campaign, which has the backing of party stalwarts like Murli Manohar Joshi, wants BJP President Rajnath Singh to speak out the party's mind if they are to back the individuals at the cost of making the party at the receiving end. ''We have spoken to the party leadership on the issue and it is upto them to make up their mind,'' a senior MP told UNI.

Dr Joshi, in fact, had expressed his reservations about the party backing Mr Singh at a time when it had golden opportunity to corner the UPA following its dismal performance in containing price rise and inflation and failure to provide safety to the common man. Mr Singh had landed the party in trouble for making the allegations without substantial proof to sustain, sources felt.

When asked if the issue came up for discussion in the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting, party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said the issue did not figure in the meeting. ''The issue is slated to come up in Rajya Sabha and Mr Singh will clarify the matter. Mr Singh has not spoken about any 'mole' in his book, people are making mountain out of a molehill,'' he said.

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