'Asom BJP proceeding on Hindutva line'

Guwahati, May 18 (UNI) The Asom unit of BJP today said it was 'proceeding on a Hindutva line'.

Smelling a rat at the 'conspicuous' withdrawal of nomination papers by Asom United Democratic Front(AUDF) backed candidate for Rajya Sabha, Matang Sinh, BJP state president Ramen Deka told a press conference that as the party was strictly following a Hindutva line, there was no question of extending support to Sinh.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Asom Gana Parishad(AGP) nominee Kumar Dipak Das were declared elected to the Rajya Sabha uncontested after Sinh withdrew his nomination.

''Sinh was certain of his defeat. He had no other option but to withdraw his papers,'' Mr Deka said.

Mr Deka said the AUDF's base in the state lies in the bloc votes of the Bangladesh infiltrators. ''That it has been patronizing the illegal immigrants, is enough reason for the BJP to keep aloof from the party. The AUDF is spelling doom to Asom,'' Mr Deka said.

Lambasting the AGP for 'not adopting a clear stance on the issue of illegal migrants', he categorically maintained that the opposition's unity was not the responsibility of BJP alone.

Refuting allegations that monetary transaction was behind the party's not fielding any candidate for the Rajya Sabha, the BJP state president said it was the party high command's instruction not to contest the Rajya Sabha elections.

Significantly, according to the rotation system followed by the combined opposition, it was the BJP's turn to field a candidate.

However, despite hectic parleys in the opposition camp, no consensus could be taken.

The BJP remained undecided till the winners were declared yesterday.

UNI