Vajpayee confident of another term

Pakistan must change its perception on J&K: PM

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee thinks the anti-incumbency factor would not work against the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government as "people know that we have not yet got sufficient time to accomplish our mission." "They know our record is good, they are in a mood to give us another five years," he said in an interview to India Today magazine.

How would the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) get 180 seats in the next elections unless its base was strengthened in Uttar Pradesh, he said, "Not 180. We have to get much more than that".

The Prime Minister said the BJP would increase its strength in Rajasthan and not lose seats in Orissa because the Congress was in a "bad shape" there.

To a question if his party's image had suffered due to quite a few scandals like those relating to petrol pumps, UTI, Tehelka and Dilip Singh Judeo, Vajpayee said his government ordered probes into all allegations.

"The entire system has to be changed, elections are increasingly becoming costlier," he said when pointed out that Bangaru Laxman was caught on camera taking money while he was the BJP president.

"Where does the money come from? Who gives it? These things influence politics. It is a big problem in our democracy," he said.

On corruption being a big issue during elections and that at one point, his party had decided to accept donations only by cheque, Vajpayee said, "We had. But it did not work. No party can do this unilaterally. Everyone has to think about it".

Taking exception to the remarks of the Chief Election Commissioner JM Lyngdoh that politicians did not want democracy in the country, the Prime Minister said, "He (Lyngdoh) should not have said it." At the same time, Vajpayee said India was suffering from corrupt politicians as also corrupt bureaucrats.

The Prime Minister said his party wanted to have "good relations" with the Bahujan Samaj arty (BSP) but its leader Mayawati "resigned abruptly. The party seemed to have fallen victim to false propaganda from some quarters that her government would be toppled".

On the Ayodhya issue, Vajpayee said, "A Ram temple in Aodhya is a universal demand. Sentiments of the people are attached to it. I hope a solution can be found with the goodwill of all concerned".

Expressing optimism that a solution to the Kashmir issue was possible during his lifetime, Vajpayee, made it clear that no meaningful discussions could be held on this unless Pakistan changed its perception that the state should be its part because it had a Muslim majority.

"There has to be a fundamental change in Pakistan's perspectives," he said, "Untill it changes its perception about Jammu and Kashmir ""that because it is a Muslim-majority state, it should be part of Pakistan""no meaningful discussions can take place on this matter."

He said, "I remain optimistic about it. During my Lahore visit, I had clearly conveyed our desire for peace and friendship. Apparently, Pakistan did not believe us."

Observing that there were important economic and cultural issues on "our agenda", he said, "This does not mean that we are running away from the J&K problem or that we are not willing to discuss it".

To a question whether Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf could be trusted, he said, "It is not a question of trust. We have issues of bilateral importance to discuss with the political leadership of Pakistan, if conditions permit it".

Asked whether India or Pakistan would accept the Line of Control as the international border, he said, "No. Such matters have not yet reached the discussion table".