VHP not averse to floating Hindu political party

Varanasi, Nov 28 (UNI) Reiterating resolve for the creation of a ''Hindu vote bank,'' the VHP today said the formation of a Hindu political party supported by it cannot be ruled out.

''The first step towards the actualisation of VHP dream for making India a Hindu Rashtra will be the creation of Hindu vote bank in the era of vote bank politics. Once the Hindu vote bank is created, the majority community will only vote for that party or candidate which swears by the Hindu cause,'' VHP general secretary Pravin Togadia told newsperson here.

Asked about VHP plans of forming a Hindu political party, Dr Togadia said, ''We do not rule out its formation, but our first aim is to create a Hindu vote bank. The formation of a Hindu party cannot be ruled out, but will remain pending till the Hindu vote bank is not put in place.'' Earlier, addressing a VHP workers meet, the firebrand leader said a call for making India, a ''Hindu Rashtra'' will be given at the third three-day Vishwa Hindu Sammelan at Prayag (Allahabad) from February 11 next year.

''The Sammellan to be organised during the Ardh Kumbh will be a conclave of representatives from over a lakh Indian villages, who will avow to make India a Hindu Rashtra, on the banks of Triveni Sangam in Prayag. They will return to their villages along with two urns of Gangajal with which the 'abhishek' of Lord Shiv will be performed on 'Maha Shivratri' in their respective villages.'' Hindus across the country will in April next on Ram Navami celebrate Ram Mahotsava by hoisting the saffron flag atop their houses, he added.

Dr Togadia said the VHP's Hindu Rashtra will be idential to Pakistan -- a Muslim country -- and Muslims in that country will be treated in similar manner as the Hindus are dealt with across the LoC.

Calling upon VHP workers to make the February conclave in Prayag a grand success, Dr Togadia said the saffron organisation workers, through out December and January will embark on awareness campaign in villages to make the conclave a success. ''Our workers will seek handful of foodgrain from every Hindu household in the country and token monetary contribution for making the conclave a success.'' Enlisting other issues which will be discussed during the conclave to be attended by over 1,000 NRI Hindus, Dr Togadia said ways to increase the Hindu population in India, providing security to Hindus, uprooting Islamic terrorism and reinvigorating the Ram temple movement after the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections will also be discussed.

About the creation of Hindu vote bank, the VHP leader said Hindus in UP as exhibited in local body poll in East UP have already started voting for candidates, who are against Muslims and support the Hindu cause. ''An independent candidate swearing by the Hindu cause has won the election in Mau, the same place where controversial independent MLA Mukhtar Ansari engineered communal riots last year,'' he added.

Dr Togadia claimed a Hindu backlash against those pursuing the policy of minority appeasement was pervasive in UP. ''The condition is much like 1990 and 1992, which saw a Hindu political backlash.'' He, however, clarified the Hindu vote bank was not being created to help the BJP and added the polarisation of Hindu votes will be a decisive factor during UP election.

UNI ARS VS YA BD1937