BJP reacts in two voices

The BJP found itself reacting in different voices on the Mumbai blasts. While former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani who went to Mumbai to see the injured said that "this is not the time to criticise the government", his party office-bearers did not feel the same way. While Advani said that this was the time for "the 'raja' and 'praja' of India to stand together to combat terrorism", his party asked the UPA to either govern or get out.

In a strongly worded statement condemning the serial blasts in Mumbai, the BJP asked the government to either "govern or get out." The BJP said that it was due to the trading of security for votes by the present UPA government that India had become a soft state.

When asked as to why the party appeared to be speaking in different voices, party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad said that Advani's statement covered "the same points as the party resolution. The government has been indicating that the initiative against terror can be traded for votes."

He added, "POTA was removed in the name of secularism. The UPA and its allies have a competitive politics. A prime example of this is Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav who says that he won't proceed against the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) which is involved in terror acts."

The party has decided that it would be launching an agitation in all state capitals in the country in front of respective Raj Bhavans on July 15 and 16.