Editorial, The Statesman, 25 August, 1999 By indulging in what the BJP does best -doublespeak - the party is keeping all its options open.

While the political leadership in the fray remains aloof from controversial issues so as not to antagonise allies and project a liberal image to the general voter, apartachiks allay fears that the Sangh Parivar may have of the BJP stłaying from its fundamental agenda ... The cadre which must bring in the vote must be placated and will not allow the party to stray too far from its real objectives. The other constituents of the Sangh Parivar like the VHP and Bajrang Dal, who also campaign for the BJP, use only these issues to address their supporters. If these -are suddenly found to be missing than the raison d'être for people like Ashok Singhal and Giriraj Kishore will be lost.

In what they perceive to be their real interests they will nnever allow BJP to "forget" Ayodhya...