VHP not to support BJP in UP assembly elections: Dalmiya

New Delhi, Oct 19 (UNI) In a sign that bonhomie between them has considerably tapered off, veteran VHP leader Vishnu Hari Dalmiya says his outfit will not support the BJP in the coming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, accusing it of ''disrespecting the sentiments of the Hindu society that pitchforked it into power''.

In a candid interview to ''Outlook'' Hindi weekly, Mr Dalmiya said, ''VHP does not have any faith in the BJP...It is like any other party, and we are not bothered about whether it wins or loses.'' Mr Dalmiya, who is President of the VHP's Advisory Committee, also said that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, not Mr Rajnath Singh, should have been an ideal choice for the post of the BJP President.

''It would have been better if Mr Modi, the face of Hindu ideology, had been made the BJP President because it would have strengthened the faith of the people in him. We also would have a greater faith in him.'' The VHP leader accused the BJP of disrespecting the sentiments of the Hindu society, which brought it to power.

''The BJP leaders had surrendered themselves before their allies, but the latter did not surrender before the BJP...(Lal Krishna) Advaniji must accept this fact that the BJP, despite being the largest party, had surrendered before smaller parties,'' he said.

Mr Dalmiya also impressed upon Mr Advani to accept that the VHP had lost its existence for the BJP.

''The argument will not hold water that it was a coalition government and hence he (Advani) could not do anything,'' he said, adding: ''In reality, the BJP did not have any compulsion. Everyone wanted to savour the bliss of power and authority.'' MORE UNI SKS PK BD1748