BJP keen, but Jayalalitha non-committal on joining Vajpayee's government
The Bharatiya Janata Party leadership today held an hour-long
discussion with AIADMK chief J Jayalalitha on the possibility of
her party joining the Vajpayee government likely to be formed at the
Centre in a few days.
Talking to newspersons after the luncheon meeting with BJP
president L K Advani and A B Vajpayee held at the former's
home, Jayalalitha remained non-committal whether her party
would support the Vajpayee government from outside or become part of
it. She, however, said she would extend all co-operation to the
Vajpayee government.
Jayalalitha, who arrived at Advani's home at around
1300 hours, looked cheerful before and after the meeting. She said
the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere.
In reply to a question, Advani said they discussed ways to
provide a stable government at the Centre. He described the talks as
''very fruitful''.
Before the meeting, Jayalalitha presented shawls to
Vajpayee and Advani and exchanged bouquets with Advani's wife,
Kamla.
Earlier, according to a report from Madras, Jayalalitha has ruled out
any change in her party's decision to stay away from a BJP-led
government at the Centre and extend support to it from the outside.
Talking to newspersons on Sunday before leaving for New Delhi,
she said her party would continue to extend outside
support to a BJP-led government.
Asked about a similar stand taken by her allies, MDMK, PMK,
Tamizhaga Rajiv Congress and the Janata Party, in Tamil Nadu,
she said, "I am not compelling them. They have total freedom
to take their own decision."
Asked if a conglomeration of parties could provide stability at
the Centre, Jayalalitha said, "We wish that the government will
have stability and we will strive for ensuring stability to it to
enable it to complete the full five year term".
Referring to her programme at New Delhi, Jayalalitha said she would remain there till the swearing-in
ceremony of the new government.
UNI
Elections '98
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