BJP to lend 'active support' to Ramsethu Raksha Manch

Bhopal, Sep 22 (UNI) In an effort to make its stand clear over the Ramsethu issue before the Sangh Pariwar, the BJP is likely to extend 'active support' to the Ramsethu Raksha Manch, spearheading the agitation to save the historic bridge from being breached for making way for the Sethu Samudram Project aimed at linking the country's eastern and western coasts.

The Executive took up for discussion a resolution moved by former Union Minister Murli Manohar Joshi who has been handling the issue for the party since the controversy broke out.

Dr Joshi is also expected to remain the nodal person in the future also, sources said.

There has been behind the scenes tussle between the party and the L K Advani camp as he was in favour of using the issue ahead of a possible mid-term polls.

By opting to lend active support to the manch, the group opposed to the Advani camp is only preventing it from using the issue beyond a limit, sources feel.

The three-day National Executive, which commenced here yesterday in the absence of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has passed an economic resolution titled 'Gaon, Kissan and Mazdoor' to highlight the failures of the UPA government in keeping up its promises to the 'Aam Admi'.

BJP President Rajnath Singh, Leader of the Oppposition in the Lok Sabha L K Advani, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other top leaders will address a rally later in the day.

The leaders will give a call to the party rank and file to be ready to face mid-term elections in the country in the first half of 2008 and resolve to throw out the ''anti-poor and anti-farmer ''UPA government.

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is facing Assembly elections in the immediate future, is also taking part in the conclave while many of his detractors, including his predecessor Keshubhai Patel, have chosen to miss the meet.

UNI