BJP speaks on terrorism: confused, contradictory

CACOPHONY: Three BJP leaders give their opinion on the Ahmedabad serial blasts.

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New Delhi: The BJP can’t seem to speak in one voice on a favourite topic of the party: terrorism.

Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj first called the serial blasts in Ahmedabad a conspiracy of the UPA Government. “Attacks in two BJP-ruled states in a span of two days and within four days of the UPA Government winning the trust vote have some meaning, and what I am saying is proved by enough circumstantial evidence," she said on Monday.

Two days later, the BJP has distanced itself from Sushma’s controversial statement with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi himself making clarifications.

Modi described terrorism as a “proxy war” but was careful not to blame anyone for the serial blasts in Ahmedabad and the bombs discovered in Surat.

"Enemies of this nation are bent upon destroying this country. It is very important that people are fully alert,” he said in Surat.

The same rules should be applied as in war; the same alertness should be maintained and the nation must speak in “one voice” against terrorism, he said.

Swaraj’s statement came at a time when it was taking on the Government on its alleged failure against terrorist attack. There has been a feeling that her comments have diluted the party’s position.

L K Advani, the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate, has carefully chosen not to agree or disagree with either Modi or Sushma. Advani has mentored Swaraj and Modi and both leaders have an eye on the future leadership of the party.

So while Advani remains silent and Modi talks diplomatically, Sushma is still sticking to her statements. "I stand by what I said earlier. It was a personal remark made by me and was not a part of the NDA. I still firmly stand by what I said," she said in Delhi on Wednesday.

The party's embarrassment got complete when spokesperson Prakash Javadekar admitted that Sushma, Advani and Modi were all expressing their personal views. “What Advani said and what Swaraj said is over,” he said.

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