BJP had stood by Yashwant's economic policies : party

New Delhi, June 8 (UNI) A BJP functionary today sought to counter former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha's claim in his book that it was 'more distressing' that the opposition for his economic policies was from within the party during the NDA regime, and asserted the party had stood by the government decisions although differences are bound to exist in a political party.

BJP Economic Cell President and the then member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council Jagdish Shettigar said that he could reveal now that although some communication gap existed about providing suitable logic for some of the government actions, the party had lent its support to Mr Sinha. There could be differences in the party on issues but the government of the day takes its decision in the best interests of the country because on such matters one cannot please all, Mr Shettigar told UNI.

About Mr Sinha singling out party Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha Sushma Swaraj, when she was out the Union Cabinet as his 'most vocal critic', Mr Shettigar said he could not comment on individuals. '' From my side I lent him my support and vehemently opposed the appointment of Mr Mohan Guruswamy as the Advisor to the Finance Ministry. But in public life one has to hold on to secrets for a longer time", he felt.

Mr Sinha in his forthcoming book 'Confessions Of A Swadeshi Reformer', had alleged that there were attempts to malign him and his family by 'some industrial houses' unhappy about not toeing their line, and the Sangh Parivar dumping him resulting in losing his Finance Portfolio.

He also talks about 'dreaded decision' of signing on the proposal to mortgage 20 tonnes of gold for getting 0 million to save the country in the midst of an election rally at a time when India was on the brink of defaulting on its payment obligations as Finance Minister in the Chandra Shekhar government. This incident made him recall an incident where his father mortgaged the family silver to make two ends meet.

As an FM in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government, he also says how he had to handle India's 'tumultous times' as the world community slapped sanctions after India conducted Pokhran II nuclear tests and the handling of the furore regarding stock market scams.

He has also recalled how he ordered investigations into the operations of some overseas investors who were seeking to destabilise the economy by creating pressure on the exchange rates while newspapers were full of stories that he was helping his daughter-in-law manage an offshore fund. "Though personally hurt, I was a relieved man when the Supreme Court upheld my position", the former FM has written.

UNI