'Cong. wants war, we are ready'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 25. The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today said his multi-party National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was prepared to counter the Congress' charges of calumny emanating from the Tehelka tapes on the streets. ``They have declared war and there is no going back. We have accepted the invitation. We will continue to run the Government and, at the same time, contest the charges by going to the people,'' he declared at a well-attended NDA rally here to mark the beginning of the ruling alliance's nationwide campaign to counter the charges against the Government.

The Prime Minister and the dozen-odd speakers who preceded him maintained a common theme. They acknowledged that the tapes had indicted some well-placed officials and politicians. But they were quick to point out that the Government had immediately ordered a probe and some of those featuring in the tapes, directly or by implication, had resigned from their posts.

Despite these steps, the Congress was unwilling to debate the issue in Parliament and failed to respond to constructive suggestions to break the stalemate. This behaviour, they said, suggested a conspiracy whose broader contours were to discredit the Government, demoralise the armed forces and capture power without seeking a fresh mandate.

All the speakers targeted only the Congress and assailed its obstructionist tactics in Parliament and provocative attitude outside. Rare was a speaker who referred to the `Third Front', with most of the leading lights invited to speak focussing their belligerence on the Congress and its chief, Ms. Sonia Gandhi.

``We had never blocked Parliament to force a Government to resign. Ms. Gandhi is now resorting to the kind of language I have never used in my decades of public life. The Congress is negating the spirit of conciliation. I don't know why this is being done - perhaps it is due to jealousy or frustration. Sometimes I wonder whether the Congress has lost faith in democratic means,'' mused the Prime Minister.

As opposed to this kind of behaviour, the ruling alliance was the epitome of restraint and moderation, said Mr. Vajpayee. This was reflected in its unconditional acceptance of the one-vote loss in the Lok Sabha that precipitated the previous elections. ``We too could have created a controversy, demanded a recount, but we did not do so. But the Congress believes only in chaos and disorder. We cannot bend before this kind of behaviour. That is why I have said the bugle has been sounded and we will not back away.''

The Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, referred to the unusual circumstances that had brought the NDA allies before the people and felt the combine would not be found wanting in responding to this challenge. ``If the Congress says it will take the issue to the people, we are also prepared to counter it on the streets.''

The NDA convener, Mr. George Fernandes, recalled his 50 years of ``unblemished political life'', his concern for the soldier which was ``epitomised by countless trips to Siachen and willingness to be examined by any forum''.

The MDMK leader, Mr. Vaiko, wondered why Ms. Gandhi continued to retain the charge-sheeted Mr. Vincent George in her personal staff while harping on corruption in the NDA.

The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, his Haryana counterpart, Mr. O.P. Chautala, the Union Communications Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan too reposed faith in Mr. Vajpayee's leadership.

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