REGIME OF BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY, 1998 A SELECT ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

DISSERTATION SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF

M^6ttv of Hibrarp Sc information ^titntt 1998-99 f

BY

GHUFRAN MOHSIN RollNo. 98LSM-22

Enrolement No. X-8222

Under the Supervision of

Ms. Sudharma Haridasan (Lecturer)

DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE

ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY ALIGARH (INDIA)

1999

I 4 ^^«« iVJ .^ - _ _ ^ . . . .

''^ii^^-''^:K^

Phone :(0571) 400039 Internal 193

Telex : 564-230 AMU IN Fax : 91-0571-400528

DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY, ALIGARH-202 002 (UP), INDIA

Ref. No

Dated

This is to certify that the IVI.L. & I.Sc.

dissertation of Mr. Ghufran Mohsin on Regime

of Bharatiya Janata Party, 1998 - : A select

annotated bibliography was compiled under my

supervision and guidance.

(Ms. Sudharma Haridasan) Lecturer

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Page No.

AIM, SCOPE & METHODOLOGY III

INTRODUCTION

PART -ONE

1-19

BIBLIOGRAPHY

AUTHOR INDEX

TITLE INDEX

SUBJECT INDEX

PART - TWO

PART-THREE

20-149

150-154

155-162

163-168

LIST OF PERIODICALS DOCUMENTED 169

cirznoimie^

Ian atone beiougkt for kelp and on him alone we depend.

J/- feet kiaklu indebted in exprediina mu profound 6enie of

aratitude to mu dianified duperuidor, % . SuA arm.a ^J^aridadan,

cyLecturer,

ere

m

Ir uariaoie kelp in dearcnina j^or material.

J/- expre66 mu iincere gratitude to rrlr. J^. /\aldul

JJ adan, rt/auiana ^^zad

AIM AND SCOPE

The Bhartiya Janata Party in power proved to be strong in

taking decisions, providing security as well as prosperity to its

countrymen. All this inspired me to select the topic "The Regime of

Bhartiya Janata Party 1998". This is an attempt to take

up all the major achievements and failures of the BJP/^vtJ through

the selection of articles related closely with its various activities viz.

the Pokhran Tests, Resolution of the Cauvery Conflict, the Mandir-

Masjid Issue, Bus Service from Delhi to Lahore and Calcutta to

Dhaka, being covered within the preview of the study.

This dissertation provides an annotated bibliography of all the

relevant material related to the significant events and mishaps

attempting to be exhaustive in its coverage.

In the process, it has included 200 articles dealing with BJP's

rule which may prove useful for all those who have are slight

interest in Indian Politics.

Part one of this dissertation deals with introduction of the

topic covered. Part two consists of an annotated bibliography of 200

articles on the topic. Part three consists of indices, author, title and

subject.

METHODOLOGY :

The primary sources were consulted in the following libraries,

i) Maulana Azad Libraries, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.

ii) Coaching and Guidence Cell, A.M.U., aligarh.

iii) Seminar Library, Department of Library Science, A.M.U., Aligarh.

iv) Bharatiya Janata Party, Central Office (New Delhi).

Ill

STANDARD FOLLOWED :

The Indian standards recommended for bibl iographical

reference (18:2381-1963) and Classified Catalogue Code (CCC) of

Dr. S.R. Ranganathan have been followed. In some cases where ISI

do not give any guidance, I have taken appropriate decision.

ARRANGEMENT : The entries are arranged under subject heading which are

arranged alphabetically following letter by letter method. The entry

element of the author is in capitals, followed by the secondary

element in parenthesis using capital and small letters and then the

title of the articles, subtitle (if any) then by the volume number,

issued number, the year, month and date giving by using inclusive

notation of the pages of the articles. The each entry is than

followed by an informative abstracts of the articles.

Entries of periodical articels are arranged as follows :

a) Serial Number

b) Name of the Author/Author

c) A full stop (.)

d) Title of the contribution including subtitle and alternative title if

any

e) A full stop (.)

f) Title of periodical being underlined

g) A full stop (.)

h) Volume number

i) Comma (,)

j) Issue number

k) Semi colon (;)

I) Year

iv

m)

n)

0 )

P)

q)

r)

Comma (,)

Month

Comma (,)

Date

Semi colon (;)

Inclusive pages of the articles

s) A full stop (.)

SPECIMEN ENTRY :

.139 CHATTERJEE (Partha). How we Loved the bomb and

Later Rule it-Economic and Political Weekly. 33, 34; 1998, June,

13; 1437-1441.

EXPLANATION :

This article is taken from the periodical "Economic and

Political Weekly" How we loved the bomb and later rule it" written

by "Chatterjee (Partha)" in 34th number of 33rd volume of 13th

June 1998, on the pages from 1437 to 1441 against this entry.

SUBJECT HEADING :

Attempt has been made to give co-extensive subject heading

as much as possible, it will facilitate the readers to find out desired

artjcle(s) from this bibliography.

INDEX :

The index part consists of indices, author, title and subject.

The index guides to the specif ic entry or entr ies in the

bibliography. It is hoped that it will be found useful in consultation

of the bibliography.

r

PART OME

lMTR0t)VCT10><

I

• \

— i

INTRODUCTION

Genesis of Bharatiya Janata Party :

The genesis of the Bharatiya Janata Party should be traced

to the Preindependent period in India when sections of Hindus

felt that the congress part^ Mahatma Gandhi was unnecessarily

appeasing the Muslims and neglecting the interests of the Hindus

who constituted the majority.

The history of the formation of Bharatiya Jana Sangh under

the inspiring leadership of late Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee in

1951 is well known though not its back ground. The Late Dr.

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee/talented leader of the Mahasabha had

been importuned by Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru and Patel to Join the

first control cabinet in spite of the fact that he did not join the

congress.

In 1951 Dr. Mukherjee started work in East Bengal and

also Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and other states. The first all

India session of the new party, Jana Sangh was held in Delhi on

21st October, 1951, where Dr. Mukherjee was unanimously

elected its first president. The first major attempt to suppress the

RSS was made in 1948, after the murder of Mahatma Gandhi.

Various (Canards were spread by its opponents that the murderer

belonged to the RSS that he had confessed and all sorts of

unbelievable trash. The RSS became very popular in northern

India but after Gandhiji's association it was banned by the (^G^vtj

The ban was lifted with great difficulty. The main goal of the

RSS was to see a free, prosperous and great India emerging on

the International scene. The progress of the RSS under its

second Sarsanghehalok Shri Golwalkar from 1940 to 1973 was

multi dimensional. The RSS also contributed to the fight for

independence. After his demise the RSS workers who had already

joined the Jana Sangh came to position of prominence in that

organisation because there seemed to be no others alternative.

The Jana Sangh came to the election fray in 1952 under

the leadership of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukerjee. It is one of the

post independence political parties. It having won only 3 out of

the 93 seats it contested. Only 35 out of a total of 725 Jana

Sangh candidate to the state assembles could win. When it

fought the 1957 election it was supposed to be a leaderless party

having no programme or policies or any economic ideology for

that matter. But the election results were encouraging, It had won

4 Lok Sabha and 46 Assembly seats its percentage of votes

rising to almost 6. Its representatives, Atal Behari Vajpayee came

to Lok-Sabha to raise its voice. Under the leadership of Dean

Dayal Upadhyaya, the emphasis in the Bharatiya Jana Sangh

from 1957 to 1962 was on strengthening the Organisation. After

Deendayalji's death in 1966, the progress continued. But the

political situation started undergoing a qualitative change from

1971 onwards.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was born under stunning

circumstances over which it had no control, circumstances which

were both tragic and grotesque. Despite the fact that Bharatiya

Janata Party had no control over the aforementioned

circumstances, it is determined to have a complete control over

its destiny because it is a party which rests on the strength of

lakhs of selfless workers, has a popular national base and

represerts the aspiration of patriotic elements. The party is

determined to fulfil a national historic role with full sense of

responsibility and urgency. Bharatiya Janata Party has been

formed at a t ime when the nation is faced with an

unprecedented crises. The Janata movement started in 1973-74

and people of different Ideoslogies and parties combined to

create an alternative to congress.

When the Janata Party was launched in January, 1977 no

one had raised any objection to the association of former Jana

Sang members with the R.S.S. background. Even after Janata

Party come to power, dual membership remained a non-issue

until the internal power conflicts with in the party became very

sharp. The Jana Sangh component of the Janata Party tried to

cooperate with others but without much success. The mutual

bickerings of the leaders coupled with the activities of a group of

compulsive, chronic party spl i t tness undermined Morarji 's

Government and the Janata Party.

As a result of this successful resistance Mrs. Gandhi's

Congress Party was trounced in the 1977 elections and af Janata

Party Government consisting of BJS, BLD, Congress (0) ,

Socialists and CFD took office. Here Shri Vajpayee as External

Affairs Minister and Shri L.K. Advani as Information and

Broadcasting Minister made memorable name. But within thirty

months this Government went to pieces, thanks to the vaulting

a.iibition of individual leaders.

Rise of BJP :

While the splintered Janata Party was routed in January

1980 their suicided "Dual Membership" campaign continued. The

BJS component found this situation impossible, went out and

reorganized itself as Bharatiya Janata Party. On April 6, 1980 the

Bhartiya Janata Party was launched. Some people had suggested

that the Jana Sangh should be relaunched. But Shri Vajpayee

firmly said, "No we should not turn back. We will make use of

our experiences in the Janata Party. We shall move ahead on

the strength of our original thinking and principles" A bright new

day had dawned in the chequered history of India. The very first

session of BJP in December 1980 in Bombay, presided over by

Sri Vajpayee was a glorious success.

The foundation session of the party at Bombay, carried his

personal stamp as the policy declaration was replete with terms

like-secularism, socialism and non aligenment. When the image he

projected at the 1980 Bombay session got his party a miserable

two seats in parliament his policy stance came in for sharp

criticism with in.

Principles :

Bharatiya Janata Party put forward five principles which it is

determined to follow and on the basis of which a national

consensus can be created.

The first principle is Nationalism and National Integration.

BJP believes that people of different faiths and different

ideologies should be able to coexist in peace and harmony with

one another.

Second a fundamental plank of the J.P. movement and so

also of the BJP approach has been the commitments to

"Democracy" .

Third Bharatiya Janata Party believes in the policy of

positive secularism based moral values.

Fourth the ideology of the Bharatiya Janata Party would be

broadly speaking that of Gandhian Socialism.

Fifth the central point of Gandhian Socialism is that these

should be no poverty or explotation of man by man. BJP will

strive to build up such a value based politics.

With the over all ideological frame work of these five

commitments, BJP will take a flexible stand on other issues and

will go a long way to cooperate with all those opposition parties

which have no extra-territorial loyalty in envolving a common

approach to resisting the authoritarianism, corruption and anti

national policies of the congress party.

Both interms percentage of votes polled and seats gained,

the graph of the Bharatiya Janata Party shows a steady rise

since 1984, when it had won just 2 seats. No other party has

shown a more consistent trend over the period.

BJP's steady progress from 1984 to 1999 is as follows :

Year Seats won

1984 2

1989 85

1991 119

1996 161

1998 177

196 1999 V

Clearly Ihe Bharatiya Janata Party has offered something to

India that has appealed to large sections of society. In the 1989

elections the Janata Dal effected adjustment of seats with the

BJP and proceeded to firm the Government without side support

from the BJP and the communists.

From day one Shri V.P. Singh did not play ball. The

Bharatiya Janata Party had pladged him unconditional support,

which was probably a mistake : there is no charity in politics, no

free lunch. As BJP president L.K. Advani was heard remarking at

the time. "Shri V.P. Singh is like an old-style princeling. He is all

courtesy and all conspiracy". He would tell Shri Advani that he

himself would join him in Kar Seva and then issued a temple

ordinance only to with draw it within hours and have Shri Advani

arrested V.P. Singh Suddenly came up with the Mandal Report

not because his heart was bleeding for the poor but because he

thought that, on this issue he could dissolve the house go to the

polls, collect some 350 seats and rule the country on his own

without the bother of consulting anybody on anything. But it was

a gamble that failed, because the BJP had already raised the

Ayodhya issue. And it had done so early in 1989, not on the

basis of any electional calculation but on ideological conviction.

Historic wrongs had to be righted, however symbolically, for a

lasting solution of the Hindu-Muslim problem.

Sea Change in Political Scence :

Shri advani's Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya effected

a Sea Change in the political scene. While Mandal had divided

the people, Ayodhya united the people. What violence there was

in 1990 came only because the Government arrested Shri Advani

and the U.P. Chief Minister fired on Kar-Sevaks. Had they

allowed Shri Advani to reach Ayodhya and do symbolic kar-seva

there would have been no bandh no violence, anywhere. Shri

V.P. Singh thought that BJP had secured 89 seats in 1989

because of seat adjustment with JD and that was true enough.

But he forgot that his JD had also got 143 seats only because

of seat adjustment the BJP would lose scores of seats. The BJP

had won 119 in 1991. Actually the BJP added 30 seats to its

old secure and it was the JD that declined to 59 seats.

Vajpayee came out of the shadows in 1992 when the Babri

masjid was demolished. He did not show the glee exhibited by

'ekdhakka aurdo' Uma Bharti and disassociated himself from the

pul deed by calling it unfortunate. The BJP ruled or supporter

state government in Indian states of Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) Madhya

Pradesh (M.P.), Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra are continuing

the Virulent anti-Muslim policy.

Unstoppable BJP :

The results of the 1995 election in Andhra, Karnataka,

Bihar, Orissa, Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra were, if anything

even more remarkable. In Maharashtra, Shiv Sena and the BJP

have formed a fine coalition government. The BJP's historic

performance in the Assembly elections when there was no seat

adjustment with other parties and when the Ayodhya issue stood

frozen, is confirmation of the fact that basically the BJP is

forgoing ahead because of its excellent organisation, superb

leadership and patriotic people's policies. BJP State Government

enunciated a new education policy; they made copying in the

exams a conginzable offence; they decentral ised the

administration; their Antyodaya took care of the poorest of the

land, they waired the bans of poor farmers and their war on

ciriminal elements and put them in jail.

Clear BJP Position :

The BJP position is very clear on this issue: Indian

science and technology have come of age, as examplified by our

defence and Research Development Organisation presided over by

Dr. Abdul Kalam. Therefore foreign capital is welcome only in

capital intensive hightech and infrastructural areas; however it

must come on fair and competitives terms. The new watch-word

is "Swadeshi". The world has been told in unmistakable terms by

the BJP that India cannot be taken for granted. Under foreign

pressure our missile programme has been capped. There have

been successes, too. BJP leaders have made the Government

agree to start and close parliament session with 'Vande Mataram".

The BJP Ekta Yatra Flag in Srinagar on Republic Day 1992. And

the BJP's Karnataka unit saw to it that the National Flag is duly

hoisted on the Huble Public ground, which is used for Nawaz on

Id-days.

This was amply proved in the 1996 general election. The

BJP set the tone for this election through Shri Advani's Suraj

Yatra which focus on corruption and the corrupt misdeals of the

Narasimha Rao regime. The BJP emerged as the largest single

party with 161 seats. Its allies, the Shive Sena, the Haryana

Vikas Party, the Samata Party and the Akalidal, declared their

support to a BJP government at the Centre.

History was made on May 16, 1996, when Shri Atal Bihari

Vajpayee was sworn in as Prime Minister. This was the first truly

non congress Government to take charge of the nations affairs.

But alarmed by the prospect of the BJP firmly establishing

itself in power, the others ganged uptand struck an unholy

alliance of 14 parties. In the debate that followed on Shri

Vajpayee confidence motion, the nation was witness to the

pol i t ical chicanery of the non-BJP part ies. The Vajpayee

Government resigned after a fortnight but the country paid a

heavy price with the coming to power of the united front.

The tremendous success of Shri Advani's historic 59-days

15,000 kg, Swarna Jayanti Rath Yatra provides further evidence

of the BJP's popularity. The enthusiastic response to Shri Advani,

latest Yatra to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of India's

independence has firmly established the BJP as the primary

political power in the country.

BJP in power - 1988 :

Mr. Atal Behri Vajpayee the veteral leader of the Bharatiya

Janata Party was appointed Prime Minister by president Mr. K.R.

Narayanan on March 15, 1998. The number of MP's supporting

the BJP formation came to 264 on March 15, 1998, though short

10

of the halfway mark in the total house of 539. Even thus nagging

anxiety was set at rest when the president of India was

telephonically assured by the leader of the Telugu Desam Party

and Chiefminister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu,

that the 12 TDM MPs and would remain neutral. The prime

minister to prove his majority with in 10 days-on March 19,

1998. The BJP-Led coalition came went out with defetlons the

TDP's turn about in the first instance and the AlADMK's walking

out its fold in the final phase. Simiarly the Samata Party of

George Fernandes, Biju Janata Dal, Shiromani Akali Dal, H.V.P,

Mamta Banerjee's Trinamul Congress, Telugu Desam Party and

Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr. Chandrababu Naidu. The

present BJP Government may have a boon in not getting on

absolute majority the hardlines will not be able to have their way

and liberals must prevail.

The Bhartiya Janata Party led government completes its 100

day in office. The BJP led governemnt has decided on Nuclear

tests to stay in power, was necessary. The BJP wants India to

be a right winning militant state. It has pushed the country to a

different, to confrontation. The BJP led government is conniving at

efforts to communalise the atmosphere. In fact communalism has

increased since the advent of Vajpayee government. Reminded of

the Babri Masjid, Vajpayee said that the wanted the matter to be

settled through the court. Vajpayee had a good word for the

economy.

11

Bharatiay Janata Party's Major Achievements :

The achievements of BJP are as follows :

Economy : The BJP stands for fair trade note free trade. Though

ostensibly a Swadeshi Government, the process of liberalisation

continues none the less, giving hope to TNCs exploring investment

options in India. The policy decision to reduce Government share

holding in non strategic public sector units to 26%, Approval of

Strategic sale of a few companies. Introduction of foreign

Exchange Management Act Bill, Anti-Money Laundering Bill and a

Bill Permitting private investment in the insurance sector in

parliament. Annoucement of changes in deposit norms for NBSCs.

Further reforms anticipated in the wake of western sanctions and

the US business interests in key areas like insurance.

Financial Sector : The Vajpayee's Government provide the

president regulations for banks tightened to require provisioning

for centre ans Stage Government Securit ies, Government

guaranteed loans and general provision for standard assests.

Canditions for public issues by infrastructure campanies eased,

100 percent book buklding permitted for issues above 25 crore.

Bill for strong independent Insurance Regulatory authority and

opening of insurance and pension funds to private companies

introduced in parliaments proposal to allow 26% foreign equity

and additional in percent NRI and Fll holding.

Information Broad Casting : The BJP led Government have

12

introduce a sports channel, A24 hour news channel, FM radio for

private broad casters started and Rs 430 crore plan for J & K

up gradion of facilities for DD & AIR etc.

Agriculture : The BJP firmly believes that agriculture is the

backbone of Indian economy and conscience keeper of Indian

democracy. The BJP led Government they are 58% more

budgetary allocation in respect of ministry of agriculture for the

financial year 1998-99 provided, new Agricultural policy being

formulated to accord important role to cooperative to ensure both

high productivity and stable agro-commodities market, watershed

development programme given higher budgetary allocation. Rs

1627 crore provided to state Governments as assistance under

Accelerated Irrigation benefits programme to benefit formers

during 1998-99. Steps taken for introduction of modern technology

in handing, storage and transportation of foodgrains, reducing

losses to the minimum possible.

Empowerment of woman & Children : Bharatiya Janata Party's

led government they have provide legislation for reservation of

33% of the seats in parliament and state assemblies for woman.

The plan to provide free education for girls upto college level,

including professional courses and take ameasures to eleminate

child labour.

Corruption : Bhartiya Janata Party led government introduce in

parliament at path-breaking Lok Pal Bill to fight corruption at high

13

places, brining in the office of the Prime Minister also within the

annbit of the proposal bill.

International Relations : The Vajpayee's Government have

achieve successful handling of post- Pokhran II through practive

diplomancy and they had multilateral summits, including SAARC in

Colombo, the NAM Summit in Durban and the Un-General

Assembly. Theere are initiative on joint global action against

terrorism and dismantling of weapons of mass distructions. A firm

message to Pakistan that while India seeds friendly relations and

can take an initiative such as the "Lahore Bus Journey", there

are equally firm in defeating any aggressive intentions. The

effective management ensured that Pakistan was isolated

diplomatically on the Kargil issue and the international community

endorsed the Indian stand that Pakistan was the aggression and

aggression must be vacated and security of LOG restored.

Information Technology : Bhartiya Janata Party's led government

have achieve national Task Force on Information Technology &

Software Development constituted to formulate National Information

Technology Policy with an aim to enable India to emerge as an

information technology super power with in the next 10 years.

Blue print already adopted.

BJP Government will be to ensure protection of life and

property from mafias and terrorists by giving a free hand to their

security process to deal with the menace of terrorism. They put

14

an end to infiltration of foreign arms and terrorists from training

camps across the border.

The Bhartiya Janata Party Government wil l appoint a

National Security Council. It would review the nation's nuclear

policy and exercise the option to induct nuclear weapons. The

BJP is in favour of a nuclear free world. The BJP Government

will not accept the Fissile Material Control Regime (FMCR) as well

as Missible Technology Control Regime (MTCR). It would expect

the serial production of Prithvi and the development of Agni II.

Poor Vajpayee, he did not know what to do during the first

eight months after assuming power in 1998. The results prices of

essential commodities just boomed and the Vajpayee government

kept helplessly watching traders robbing consumers imagine,

onions sold beyond Rs. 50 per kg; tomatoes and potatoes price

hitting the roof. The Vajpayee government just looked the other

way and balamed the opposition for the sky rocketing price hike.

It annoyed the people so much that the Bharatiya Janata Party

lost Delhi and Rajasthan while failed to win Madhya Pradesh

during the November assembly election.

The Ayodhya disput has been there for a long time. It has

been dragged through courts and is still pending there though

decades have passed. It can be solved either through dialogue or

by law.

The politicisation of national issue did not stop at that and

15

similar shiades of manipulative politics were discernible invaried

domains. The dismissal of Naval Chief Vishnu Bhagwat proved to

be he last straw. It could be betterer handled by giving him

private advice to resign, not by making it a public issue.

Jayalalitha making it a public issue. Jayalalitha made Bhagwat's

dismissal an issue of national security and demanded his

reinstatement and dismissal of defence minister George Fernandes

as the price for continuing support to the Vajpayee government.

The BJP in Government would resume the str ictest

implementation of existing laws to punish rapists and those guilty

of texual assault on woman. If the present laws failed to act as a

determinent, the death penalty will be considered for rapists.

The Bharatiya Janata Party is the leading player in the

coalition and drawing its stength from the authoritarian and

aggressive phalanx of the Sangh Parivar. The BJP wants to

create goodwill of its own, it must take action on these issues

which touch the commonman.

The National Agenda for Governance (NAG) adopted by the

BJP led government at the centre stated that government would

expedite comprehensive reforms of PSUs including restructuring,

rehabitation and disinvestment. After its first full budget 1998-1999

it became clear what was meant by NAG was "liquidation,

dismantling and privatisation" of public sector, fare well to the

lakhs of PSU workers under compulsory golden hand shake.

16

unmindful of what happens to their future and what ever happens

to the self-reliant growth of the country. The hidden meaning of

'Swadeshi' agenda is to finish the really Swadeshi/National

enterprises. On account of the disinvestment, as per that budget,

the government was to get Rs 8,000 crores to meet the deficit.

The Bharatiya Janata Party seem to be a clean party and

capable providing a corruption free government. The people of

India wanted a fresh approach, a party that could provide an

efficient government

Conclusions :

Shri Vajpayee's government set itself to the task of fulfilling

the goal of making India strong and prosperous. Shri Vajpayee's

Government effectively ended this crises of leadership and

restored a sense of confidence and pride among the people.

They are to review India's nuclear policy In the context of

emerging security concerns and scenario. On 11 May 1998,

Pokhran II has not only instilled a sense of pride and security

among the people of India but it had made the wortd recognise

India as a powerful nation. They are subsequently mature and

responsible even in the face of extreme provocation, has made

the world recognise India as a responsible nuclear power.

The Bharatiya Janata Party led government's handling of the

economy has shown the ability to manage the nation's affairs.

India is once again on the path of industrial and agricultural

17

growth. They have protected the national economy from the

effects of the fourth-east asian economic crisis. They ensured

stability of the national currency. They have protected the

interests of the common man by holding the price line.

The resolution of the cauvery conflict to the satisfaction of

all the states involved in the dispute for more than four decades,

is evidence of their commitment to consensus over conflict. The

BJP has worked to have better relations with our neighbours.

India's relation with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nopal are today

better and more robust than ever before. Shri Vajpayee's bus

journey to Lahore was has led by governments across the world.

They had held out to BJP a hand of friendship.

But Pakistan mistook Vajpayee's gesture of friendship as a

sign of weakness. They did not realise that the BJP Government

was willing to extend a hand in friendship, whereas they were

also prepared to use the other hand to crush any evil designs

on India's Unity and integrity.

The Pakistani instruction in Kargil was met with all their

might and determination. They have all seen the difficult terrain

in which Indian soldiers had to fight. The brave soldiers inflicted

a crushing military defeat on the Pakistani's Simultaneously, BJP

Government was a shining diplomatic victory-Pakistan was isolated

while the international community backed India's stand. No less

important is the fact that BJP's Government did not let the Kargil

IS

conflict disrupt normal life. Nor did they pass on the economic

burden of the war on to the people.

Indias victory in Kargil has fetched our nation a new

respect. It has given to people a sense of confidence. It has

made us proud.

Vajpayee's Government set new parameters of purposeful

governance. The National Agenda of BJP is a sincere and

solemn covenant armed at changing the content and culture of

governance of this great nation, freeing it of the triple curses of

hunger (bhookh), fear (bhay) and corruption (bhrashtachar), and

transforming it in to a New India, that is prosperous, strong, self-

confident and at peace with itself and the world.

19

/ ^

PART TWO

BIBLIOGRAPHY

I

— ^

i

1. BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY, GOVERNMENT, ACHIEVEMENT.

MUKHERJl (Debashish). From balancing act the bus. The

week. 17,13; 1999, May, 14; 30-33.

The article deal with Prime Minister Vajpayee, after a

crises ridden year is working on winning back his public

appeal. His remarkable skill at one to one. Sessions has

seen Vajpayee build cordidi personal relations with not only

Nawaz Sharif but also Jayalalitha, Mamata and the rest of

his Volatile allies. The government do not add up to much

of a tally. There is undoubtedly the Pokharan blast which

BJP, leaders continued to take enormous pride in. The

temporary solution to the Vexed Cauvery dispute between

Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, was yet another Coup. The bus

trup to Lahore and the meeting of the prime ministers of

Pakistan and India is another significant achievement.

2. —., .—, — , PRIME MINISTER, INDEPENDENCE DAY.

PHADNIS (Aditi). Totter Totter Creak Creak. Sunday. 25. 34;

1998, August, 23; 19-20.

The author express his view that in the five month's

that it has been in power, the BJP's government has little to

boast of. So, when Vajpayee stood up and faced the nation

on 15 August there was little else he could talks of except

of course his own problems of governance. The government

has not really had much success (Indeed, t ime) for

governnance. The record of most ministers Is below par-not

only are they not implementing their own agenda they are

not implementing anyone else's agenda either. For the most

20

part he concentrated on the BJP governments achievements,

namely the Pokhran and the Cauvery accord. Shut your

eyes and imagine India being overned by a BJP

government. What come to mind progromms riots, thought

police, righte wrong. The BJP is waiting for deliverance

from Jayalalitha. India is waiting from the BJP to stop

talking and start working.

..., ...., AGENDA, DEMOLITION, BABRI MASJID.

BHADRA (Gyon). Hindutva Card Never Pad off to BJP.

Nation and the World. 8, 172; 1998, Dec, 16; 10.

The author expresses his view about BJP-RSS

combine demolished the 464 year old Babri Mosque in

Ayodhya which led to a spate of rioting allover the country.

They were supported by a highly communal lsed

administration and police force. The BJP coupled with

Sangh Parivar firmly believed that it could stake its claim

to power in New Delhi. The BJP maintained before the

masses that the demolition of the Babri mosque was an

assertion of the feeling of Hindutva. The Hindutva card

played by BJP put the party in a 'nown' situation in the

elections. And this is the only reason which explain the

BJP's reductance to play 'Hindutva' card is successive

elections-both assembly and parliamentary held after 1993

election.

..., ...., ...., RAM MANDIR.

AHSAN (M.H.) BJP regimes wo not build Ram Mandir. Blitz.

58: 22; 1998 May 30; 7.

21

Though the issue of erecting a Ram Mandir at

Ayodhya does not figure on the national agenda of the BJP

led coalition in New Delhi the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP)

is regardless going full steam ahead with preparation to

build the contentious temple. The VHP's recruitment target

of fulltime workers by the year 2000 is 50,000 of which

15,000 will hail from Andhra Pradesh. Their job will to be

help in the construction of the temples.

5 ...., ...., ...., WOOING MUSLIMS

YADAV (R.S.) Vajpayee Pushes His "Foul" Thesis. New age.

46, 30; 1998, Jan, 18, 24;1.

The author discuss about the Vajpayee's advise to

Muslims to Shake off their outmoded thinking. He declared

that Ram Janam Bhoomi, Kashi or Mathura is not on his

agenda now. If Atal Behari Vajpayee is to be believed, BJP

all along a Muslim baiter party-has turned into a party quite

sympathetic and considerate to Muslim interests. Vajpayee

and some other top leaders are wooing Muslims. Starting

from Aslam Sher Kham, they are in hot pursuit of any

Muslim, whosever, may agree for a press statement in

BJP's favour. Some people may course seek to business

with the BJP for personal gains. Bal Thackeray, the Shiv

Sena Supremo and the BJP's closest only is also speaking

in a different tone. Vajpayee is also pushing this pul thesis.

It is really pathetic to find that a leader who is being put

up before the people as their future prime ministerial

candidate, if voted to power, has stoped so low.

22

6. —, .—, AGREEMENT, INDO-PAK

INDIA, PAK Sign Memorandum. The Pioneer. 9, 53; 1999,

February 22; 1.

India and Pakistan on Sunday agree to set up

appropriate consultative mechanism to monitor and ensure

implementation of the existing confidence building measurer

besides upgrading the communication links between the

director generals of military operations of the two nations

for maintaining peace and tranquility on the borders. These

commitments of under in a memorandum of understanding

which was signed by the foreign secretaries of the two

countries Mr. K. Raghunath and Mr. Shamshad Ahmad in

the presence of Priminister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Mr.

Nawaz Sharif. The two sides fully committed measures to

reducing the risks of accidental or unauthorised use of

nuclear weapons under their respective control.

7. ..., ...., ALLIANCE, REGIONAL.

GILLAN (Michael) . BJP and Transformation of opposition

politics in West Bengal. Economic and Political weekly. 33,

36; 1998, Sep. 5-12; 2391-2395.

The BJP Compaign in West Bengal reflects the

national strategy developed by the BJP to break its political

isolation and from important regional alliances through out

India. The basis for these alliances, as in the example of

West Bengal has been to form regional ties with state

opposition political formations whose primary concern is the

defeat of particular ruling parties at the state level. Whether

23

the particular regional alliance between the Trinamul and

The BJP in West Bengal can be maintain in perhaps

secondary to the shortterm efficacy of the alliance in

allowing the state unit of the party to gain an electoral

posthold in the state for the first time. In order to facilitate

its alliance strategy, the BJP has been forced to adopt a

political style which is as accommodating as possible for

an avowedly 'ideological' party.

8. .—, .—, ASSEMBLY ELECTION.

KIDWAI, (Ansar). Punished. Nation and the World. 8, 172;

1998, December, 16; 14-15.

The BJP faced a rout in the November assembly poll

as widely predicted even though the Prime Minister Atal

Behari Vajpayee found it agains his party's expectations.

The party paid heavily for its misgovernance and promise

which proved follow. This Is the first time that economic

issue like that price rise and shortage of essent ial

commodities played such a major role in making or marring

the political fortunes of the major grouping in the fray. The

BJP-RSS have not been able to ride themselves.of their

communal hang-ups after the electorate put them in seats of

governance at the centre. The defeat of the BJP is bound

to be seen as a gain of the secularists. The BJP has

knack of speaking in two voices. This assertion denial

syndrome has been part of the BJP double speak.

24

9. ...., ...., BUDGET 1998-99.

RAINA (R.) Political Budget : Protection to businessmen,

war on Public Sector. New Wave. 27, 42; 1998 June 7; 1.

The B.IP has taken its second major step to

consolidate its political hold by presenting a soft, please-all

budget. The first was the Pokhran tests. Both are designed

to create, a feel good atmosphere project the BJP as an

ultra nationalist party. The budget is going to extent this

isolation to the economic sphere. The budget has gone out

of its way to be benefit businessmen, protect the subsidies

of rich formers and the compensation to well off withdraw

from the global economy and resurrected the spetre of

stagflation. In that sense it is political objectives rather than

tacking economic issues.

10. VYASULU (Vinod). BJP's First Budget : The Pluses and

Minuses. Economic and Political Weekly. 33, 23; 1998,

June, 6-12; 1362-1366.

In this article the author confines himself to the

economic dimension, and the immediate context of the latest

budget. It means that what we are discussing many not be

the most important of the issues now facing the country.

Yet this agenda has been set by the finance minister

Yasvant Sinha. The BJP's first budget represents continuity

in some ways, but in others it breaks new ground. This

effort could, however, have gone further. Then of course,

there are many negative points in the budget. Do they out

weight the possitive ones. Finally, there is a great danger of

25

inflation. Governments may come and go but their poverty

goes on for ever.

11 ...., ...., ...., PUBLIC SECTOR.

MAHADEVAN, (H). Budget 1998-99 : BJP Government's

Waron Public Sector. New age. 46, 27; 1998, July, 5-11; 9.

The author discuss about in a devastating move, the

BJP led government came out in clear and unambiguous

term on June 1, that t he central public sector in India w\\

be demolished. The budget 1998-99 presented by Finance

Minister Yashwant Sinha openly diclared a war on public

sector and in that process more than satisfied the IMF-world

bank dictates. The Budget 1998-99 opens up a red carpet

welcome to the private capitalists both Indian and foreign

who were hostile to the public sector since inception and

who want to own and enjoy the fruits of the blood sweat of

the working class.

12. -—, .—, BUS SERVICE, CALCUTTA-DHAKA.

MAHFUZAMAN. Trade wheels : Moving in the right direction.

India Today. 24, 16; 1999, April, 13-19; 44.

The direct bus service between Dhaka and Calcutta

comes over two decades too late. The bus link should also

help forge closer Indo-Bangia trade cooperation. Bangladesh-

India relations is that for the Indian it is hardly a part of

the domestic political agenda while for Bangladesh it is

nothing but. Where politics has failed, hopefully trade and

commerce will successed. The practical world of profit and

26

loss should raise the level of discourse on India-Bangladesh

relation to a new, realistic level.

13. HAROON HABIB. Dhaka-Calcutta bus trial run on April 6.

The Hindu. 122, 72; 1999, March. 26; 8.

The article deals with the trial run of the bus service

between Dhaka and Calcutta will take place on April 6 to

facilitate road communications between the two neighbours.

The delegation from India will begin their journey for

Bangladesh on April 8 and will come along with the bus

from Bangladesh. With in a week of the trial run, the

commercial operation of the bus service between the

countries will follow an official said. The two countries

signed an agreement and a protocol on February 17 in

New Delhi enabling them to operate direct bus service

between Dhaka and Calcutta. Under the agreement and

protocol two bases from each side will ply for six days of

the week for the initial period of operation. The agreement

will be remined by the two governments after three months

of operation covering the share of traffic frequency of

service and other related issues the official added.

14. DHAKA REPICES as bus reaches city. The Hindustan

Times. 25, 167, 1999, June, 20; 1.

The inaugural Calcutta-Dhaka bus reached here this

evening at the Osmani Memorial Complex to a tumultuous

welcome in the presence of Prime Minister Adal Behari

Vajpayee and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina,

27

thus heralding a new chapter in Indo-Bangia relations.

External Affair Minister jaswant Singh, his Bangladesh

counterpart Abdus Samad Azad, West Bangal Chief Minister

Jyoti Basu besides Union Ministers Nitish Kumar and

Kabindra Purakayastha were present at the function. Sheikh

Hasina said the bus service heralded a new era in bilateral

relations between the two countries. The bus to Dhaka was

flagged off from Calcutta amid usual trappings but missing

unmistakably was they fizz with the controversy surrounding

the denial of permission to writer Sunil Gangopalhyay by

the centre, casting its shadow over the historic event. The

Actor Vasanta Chowdhury boarded the bus at Salt Lake

International Bus Terminus.

15. JAHANGIR (Rahman). Bus to Bangladesh. Sunday. 26, 26;

1999, June, 27; 30-31.

The two neighbouring countries are now poised to

enter a new phase in their relations with the formal

inauguratory of a direct bus service on 19 June. The direct

bus service is being viewed by regular travellers as a

positive move in the right direction, aming at easing the

untold sufferings of passengers who visit India by road.

Shafi Sami : the successful operation of the Dhaka-Calcutta

bus service will decide the future of the Dhaka-Agartala and

Dhaka-Syedpur Sil iguvi bus links, pointed out foreign

secretary Shafiul Samil at a news briefing in Dhaka. The

token ride on 19 June was symbolic as both Priministers

Sheikh Hasina and Atal Behari Vajpayee and West bengal

28

Chief Minister Jyoti Basu received nearly 80 passengers of

the two buses coming from Calcutta. Both Bangladesh and

India had in the meantime taken steps to promote regular

movement of people by relaxing visa rules. The Dhaka-

Calcutta direct bus service is a new era of cooperation

between neighbouring.

16 MOZFAFFAR ISLAM. A Ride to Dhaka. Nation and the

World. 8, 187; 1999, August, 1; 26-27.

There is general expectation that besides strengthening

bilateral relation between India and Bangladesh this step

goes a long way in signalling there abiding desire for good

neigboury relations. The two buses called 'Soharelya'

(Friendship) started their historic run from the newly

constructed Karunamage international bus terminus is salt

Lake city in Calcutta. The flower-bedecked 'Sohardya'

carying the Indian delegation from Calcutta was received by

Priminister's Atal Behari Vajpayee and Sheikh Hasina Wajed

along with West Bengal Cheif Minister Jyoti Basu with his

other colleagues. The two priministers later discuss a wide

range of issues including economics and the Kargel conflict.-

In an agreement with the Bangladesh government on June

20 India agreed to provide a creadit of Rs. 200 crore over

the next three years. The media in Bangladesh hailed the

Calcutta-Dhaka bus service as a historical event. However

given the goodwill and opportunetly the Calcutta-Dhaka

pasenger bus service would open a new chapter in the

history of India-Bangladesh cooperation. The two close

29

neighbours and became a significant step in consolidating

peace and prosperity in South East Asia.

17. KHARE (Harish). Indo-Bangia ties strengthened. The Hindu.

122, 25; 1999, June 20; 1.

On June 19, The "People's Bus" from Calcutta railed

into Dhaka this evening, raising hopes of a substantive

integration at the popular level between Bangladesh and

India. Devoid of the high profile hype that accompained the

now bettered "Lahore Bus" the Calcutta-Dhaka bus run was

a rather low key affair but still underlining the Cultural and

political affimity between the two countries. The bus was

formally received by the two prime Ministers, Mr. Atal

Behari Vajpayee and Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh at the

Osmani memorial hall. Mr. Vajpayee described the start of

the bus service as "One more stage in the active agenda

between India and Bangladesh and called the Occasion a

"Wonderful Celebration. The Bangladesh Prime Minister

hailed the bus service as reflection of a under desire for

easily available communication facil i t ies" which would

"strengthen and extend the existing cordial relation between

the peoples of the two countries. The Mr. Vajpayee chose

to travel to Dhaka in the midst of the Kargil conflict, seek

to under line India's friendly ties with the South Asian

neighbours with the possible exception of Pakistan.

18. BUS BRINGS back the Spirit of 71. Sunday Pioneer. 9,

169; 1999, June, 20; 1.

30

A Historic landmark was established as the first

Calcutta-Dhaka bus rolled in this evening to a spontaneous

clap of the two nations top leaders. Hundreds of people

gathered at the Osmani Hall where priminister Atal Behari

Vajpayee and Bangladesh Priminister Sheikh Hasina

welcomed the passengers of the bus which had entered

Dhaka after completing a 380 km journey. This is indeed a

joyous occassion for people in both countries. This is a

service we have long planned for and today we see it as a

reality. We in South Asia are now engaged in establishing

arrangements for regional cooperation in this direction

through SAARC. The easily available communication facilities

will strengthen and extend the existing cordial relations

between the peoples of the two countries.

19. BANGLADESH for enhancement of bilateral relations. National

Herald. 31, 103; 1999, June. 21; 1.

The article deals with Calcutta-Dhaka bus service

being launched. The Priminister of two countries welcomed

the first direct Calcutta-Dhaka bus service here this evening

with a call for further .enhancement of ties between the

neighbours. Receiving the inaugural bus service here along

with Priminister Atal Behari Vajpayee and a host of other

dignitaries from India and Bangaldesh at a ceremony at

Osmani Memorial Hall here, Bangladesh Priminister Sheikh

Hasina said during our war of liberation 10 million people,

leaving their homeland had taken shelter in India. The

people of Bangladesh still remember the rare example set

31

by India and her people with gratitude for saving a huge

number of refuges, providing them with food, clothing,

shelter and health care extending moral support towards the

liberation war" said Hasina. This is indeed a joyous

occasion for people in both countries" Vajpayee said as the

bus rolled in to the Bangladeshi capital.

20. CHAKARBATI (Ashis). Delhi, Dhaka get on board. The

Indian Express. 67, 223; 1999, June, 20; 1.

The article deals with both India and Bangladesh taking

giant step forward in improving bilateral relations. The two

priminister Atal Behari Vajpayee and Sheikh Hasina, were

here to welcom the passengers of the first directs Calcutta-

Dhakabus. This carries forward the journey the two countries

have begun in recent years with the signing of the Ganga

water shaving agreement in- December, 1997. Reinforcing

that this was just the beginning of the journey towards

peace and goodwell, Vajpayee promised that more routes

whould be opened up, more rail services introduced.

Travellers between the two countries Vajpayee said, included

students in large numbers, medical patients, businessmen,

tourists pilgrim and tourists who had relatives and friends

on either side of the border. The absence of a direct bus

service meant the travellers had to walk across the border

with their luggage.

21. —-, .—, , DELHI-LAHORE.

AIYAR (Manishankar). Vajpayee's bus lomacy. Sunday. 26,

32

24; 1999, June, 13; 8-10.

This article beings with the view that the bus to

Lahore had arrived in Kargil. The relationships between

India and Pakistan was over-laid. The bus to Lahore was

neither about strategy nor about tactics. It left people on

both sides of the border mesmerised by vision of peace but

now where near any resolution of differences. Bus to

Lahore did serve the immensely important domestic purpose

of making the bumbing Vajpayee look like a world class

states man. The Lahore wastoo important to the survival and

image of the Vajpayee government for Vajpayee and his

collegues to jeoparadise the good. Whether for sustaining

his government or seaking a fresh minded, Vajpayee

desperately needed the Lahore spirite.

22. BUS JOURNEY to Pakistan. Competition Master. 40, 9; 1999

April, 5; 70.

The author discusses about India and Pakistan having

built a wall of hostility between. Hopes of peace and

cooperation were raised when priminister Atal Behari

Vajpayee task a bus journey to Lahore. Given the history of

hospility and suspicion between Pakistan and India every

new effort to mark a fresh beginning is greeted with great

optimism. The Shimla aggreement had raised hopes of an

improvement of relations among the two neighbours.

Subsequently many rainds of talks have taking place

between secretaries and leaders but the hostil ity has

remained. The bus journey Undertaken by India's Prime

33

Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee is a historic step Indeed. It

was a defining movement of history because it may will be

a turning print of relation from suspicion and hostility to

trust and cooperation.

23. AMIT BARUAH. The bus to Pakistan. Frontline. 16, 4; 1999,

March, 12; 4-9.

Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee bus ride to wagah and

the promise head his host, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

made later in Lahore to the people of India and Pakistan

are only a big f irst step in a very long journey of

friendship between the two countries. The Prime Minister

Atal Behari Vajpayee crossed the wagah border checkpost

on February 20. The Vajpayee-Sharif talks focussed on the

entire range of bilateral relations, regional cooperation with

in the SAARC and issues of international concerned. The

broad principle of an emerging India-Pakistan relationship

with the Prime Minister of two countries sharing a vision of

peace and stability between countries. The responsibility for

both Vajpayee and Sharif will be torism in the hawks on

both sides.

24. JOSHI (Ishan). The Peace Ride. Outlook. 5,7; 1999, March,

17, 8-24.

The article indicates that the peace Initiative came

from PM's who lead hardline parties may be Ironic. But it

could also be the clincher. Atal Behari Vajpayee stepping

gingerly off the bus to Lahore at Wagah and Nawaz Sharif,

34

pacing the red carpet perhaps a touch impatient ly,

embracing, a ceremonial guns boomed in solute. Feb 20,

1999, 4 P.M. Within movements of Vajpayee's first step on

Pakistani Soil, the mood had changed. A beginning had

been made to bring Vajpayee's word on Indian side " I am

going to Pakistan with your support with a message of

peace and friendship to fruition. It's a long hail on the

realbilateral issue. But if a bus crossing the border leads to

public euphoria, it's a start. The real break through has

been the symbolism the very act of embrance. While for

Vajpayee the bus ride is an attempt to take the initiative

away from the hawks, Sharif feels he can have it both

ways discuss Kashmir for the domestic audience and play

the stateman as well. Naturally both have no objection to

attention bing forced else where. All in al it's a fortuitous

encounter between vision, economics and global will. But

the sheer audacity of the wagah ren dezisus caught the

pulse of the people. Peacesuddenly seemed to make sense.

25. DELHI-LAHORE bus service from March, 16. The Hindu.

122, 61; 1999, March, 13; 1.

The author discuss the much awaited regular bus

service between Delhi and Lahore would begin from March

16, the Delhi Transport Minister, Mr. Parvez Hashmi

announced here today. The bus run four days a week-

Tuesday Wednes day, Friday and Saturday. Passengers

would be entitled to carry limited baggage as specified for

domestic travel. The super deluxe airconditioned bus with

35

under and channel music would also have a mobile

telephone system which the passengers could avail of to

make calls on payment to any where in the country during

their journey between Delhi and wagah border. The 38

seater bus would have a five member crew with two drivers

two security guards and one liasion officer. The first bus

which undertask the historic journey to Lahore with the

Priminister Atal Behari Vajpayee, on board would be handed

over to the priminister is office. The bus would be puton

desplay of the PMO's penises from March 19 to coincide

with the Vajpayee Governments completion of one year in

office.

26. EQBAL (Ahmad). Enemies in Need could bring peace.

Nation and the world. 8, 179; 1999, April, 1; 14-16.

The author expresses his view t he Atal Behari

Vajpayee's bus journey' to Lahore is a historic events. They

make an unlikely pair of peace makers. Vajpayee and

Nawaz Sharif have developed a great foundness for each

other and are inclined to comprehand each other's grew

point, recognise domestic constraints and trust each other's

internations, A mutually agreed set of rules on safety

deploment and warning is requirement for preventing,

thermonuclear holocaust by accident, indvidual beyond the

symbolism of bus ride, bnuggy ride and Moghul point in

Lahore Possession of nuclear capability by both countries

has yielded a security environment characterised by

deference so that neither side can contemplate war.

36

27. SAKSENA (Rashmi). Hope inspring. The weak. 17, 12;

1999, March, 7; 33-34.

Vajpayee's visit generated among the people of

Pakistan a desire for a more fruitful relationship with India.

The great moment of priminister Atal Behari Vajpayee's bus

crossing the Rad Cliffs lue at the wagah border had already

moved into the page of history. This is in solution to the

promise of peace between India and Pakistan. The two day

Vajpayee visit gave way to a new hope the day later.

Lahore posted the visit hoping that all the symbolism will

translate in to trade ties, casing of visa regulations and

f inal ly the resolut ion of Kashmir. Vajpayee and his

delegations has left behind a feel good sentiment. The

interaction has made the like of Tariq and Rubina disped

their inpressions about people across the border. Atleast in

Lahore to make friends review contacts establish trade links

and move on to a fruitful relationship. He may indeed be

hoping as are Punjabs industrialists and traders that the GT

Road to Pakistan may after them the trade opportunities that

coastlines offer people in other states.

28. KIDWAI (Ansar). Friendly bus streers towards peace. Nation

and the world. 8, 178; 1999, March, 16; 30-31.

The article deals with the Prime Minister Atal Behari

Vajpayee's bus journey from wagah to Lahore on February

20. The bus on both sides was a symbol of common

main's transport and as such. Peaceful protests and dissent

with in limits are part of the democratic way of life but

37

violence has no place in this scheme. The joint declaration

signed by the two priministers and the memorandum of

understanding (Mou) worked but reach the two leaders the

men who really mattered. The friendly beginnings made

driving earlier regimes along with latest initiative need to be

consolidated to strengthen the aims of peace.

29. SHUKLA (Rajiv). Sustain the success. Sunday. 26, 10;

1999, March, 7-13; 11.

The author expresses his views as the follow up of

Vajpayee's Lahaore visit as the most successful visit. In a

very short time the Nawaz Sharif government made all

arrangement to make it a memorable event. Though nuclear

explosions on both sides, dashed hopes of friendship the

friendly feeling was still left in both Sharif and Atal Behari

Vajpayee. This feeling took Vajpayee to Lahore and made

Nawaz give him a read carpet welcome. Both the leaders

oepniy said that there should be no more war between the

two countries. Once trade is open business lobbies and

vested interests will force both the government to have

friendship. Both sides should withdraw forces from siachen

during winter when the soldiers of both countries suffer due

to the adverse weather and statusques should be maintained.

30. NAYAR (Kuldip). They did not Miss the bus. Nation and the

World. 8, 178; 1999, March, 16; 28-29.

The bus to Lahore opened avenus to greater peace

between the two neighbours. Flags of India and Pakistan

38

were painted on its body. Tlie Priminister Atal Behari

Vajpayee sat in the front seat, the bus began its journey

to Lahore. Before long we were out of Atari and than at

Wagah. :Khushamdeed' to Pal

The agreement reached on role of monitoring panel.

The final hurdle in the way of clinching an accord on the

cauvery issue was overcome today with the major parties to

the dispute, Karanata and Tamil Nadu. The decks have

been cleared for the implementation of the seven year old

interim award of the cauvery water fribunal by which

Karnataka will release 205 TMC of water every year to

Jamil Nadu. The Chief Minister of the four riparian states.

Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and pondichery had come to

abroad agreement on all contentions issues barring the role

and function of the monitoring committee at a high level

meeting convened by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee

Yesterday.

33. KARNATAKA, TN approve draft. Sunday Pioneer. 8, 219;

1998, August, 9; 1.

A. major hurdle in implementing the water sharing

agreement among the four cauvery basin states was

removed on Saturday. Both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the

two main contending parties, approved a draft on the role

and function on the monitoring committee being set up to

assest the cauvery River Authority. Karnataka Law Minister

MC Naniab said the drafting committee which met under the

Chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary last night, had

arrived at four broad proposals on the role of the monitoring

committee. The committee would only assist the authority,

and not have any independent executive or statutory powers.

It would function directly under the authority headed by

Prime Minister and four cheif minister.

40

34. MENON (N.C.) Major break through in cauvery water issue.

Hindust Times. 74, 219; 1998 August 8; 1.

The article deals with four basin states arrive at a

broad agreement. The chief minister of the cauvery basin

states today achieved a major break through on the

implementation of the contentious interm award of the

cauvery water tribunal. The accord between Tamil Nadu,

Karnataka Kerala and Pondichery was reached after nine

hours of discussions spread over two days priminister Atal

Behari Vajpayee had with the chief ministers ahead of the

Aug. 12 deadline set by the supreme court for finalising a

scheme to implement the award. Under the four point

agreement there shall be a scheme for giving effect to the

interm award of tribunal and all related order. There shall

be an authority which will comprise the Prime Minister and

the chief minister of the four states.

35. BREAK THROUGH in cauvery row. The Pioneer. 8, 218;

199, Aug. 8; 1.

The Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Friday

managed to achieve a break through on the contentious

cauvery water issue with the four riparian states reaching a

boad agreement on removing barriers to the implementation

of the seven year old Interim award of the river water

tribunal. The success came a the end of three rounds of

talks between the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and

the Chief Minister of four states.Mr. JH Patel (Karnataka)

Mr. M Karunanidhi (Tamil Nadu), Mr. E.K. Narayan (Kerala),

41

and Mr. Janakiraman (Pondichery). The centre has decided

to constitute a drafting committee headed by cabinet

secretary which will back in to power, duties functions and

the role of the monitoring committee. The agreement on it

reached under the leadership of Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee

on all occasions he was the chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

MR. Karunanidhi thanked Mr. Vajpayee and planning

commission deputy chiarman Jaswant Singh for facilitating

the agreement.

36. ESWARAN (V.V) Cauvery water dispute : A break through

at last. Nation and the World. 8, 166; 1998, September, 16;

24-25.

This article deals with old cauvery waters dispute

priminister Atal Behari Vajpayee could seen as having

successfully taken the initiative in solving a serious problem.

The main tussle is between Karnataka where the river

priginates, and Tamil Nadu through which it mainly passes.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee made the chief minister

agree to compromise in the cauvery water dispute, since

Karnataka and Tamil Nadu appeared to be prepared to

developing the potential of the cauvery, the centres was only

too happy to assist them in formulating a concord that

could ensure the well being of both the states. The cauvery

waters dispute has made one thing clear. The pulls and

pushes of polit ical compulsion, inked both to popular

regional passions and local political rivalries, would always

stand in the way of a rational and amicable solution. The

42

union government will not have to implement its promise as

stated in the national agenda of setting up National water

commission that would oversee all water related issues

allover the country. And the sooner the centre goes for it

the better.

37. GHOSE (Arabinda). Cauvery : From confrontat ion to

cooperat ion. Nation and the Wor ld . 8, 166; 1998,

September, 16; 26.

The author discusses the two largest states Karnataka

and Tamil Nadu have been fighting over sharing of the

waters of the cauvery river for the last seven years. This

war came to an end for the present at least on August, 7,

1998. The "armistice" in their war was brokered by Prime

Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and his "trouble shooter"

Jaswant Singh when an agreement was arrived at leaving all

the four chief minister happy. International dimensions when

the country was partitioned in 1941 with the Indus system

in the West and the Ganga-Brahma Putra - Meghana (GBM)

system in east becoming international water courses.

Priminister Vajpayee resolved this tangle with the suggestion

that the proposal authority be claimed by himself and the

chief ministers of the four basin states be the members.

The present government proposes to seek solution to the

inter state river waters disputes through the political route

apart from the judiciations. The four state have adopted the

path of cooperation rather than confrontation in resolving

43

this longstanding dispute. This is an encouraging

developments.

38. VENKATESAN (V). An Authority on test. Frontline. 15, 23;

1998, November, 7-20; 28-29.

The article indicated that the cauvery river water

authority met for the first time amidst continuing differences

between the states concerned failed to take any significant

decision. The first meeting of Cauvery River Water Authority

(CRWA) took place in New Delhi on October 28. The

meeting was chaired by priminister Atal Behari Vajpayee and

attended by the chiefministers of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,

Kerala, and Pondichery and Senior Officials of the Union

Water Resources Ministery. The meeting was important for

three reasons, first the Authority is seen to be achieving its

aims, it wi l l be viewed as a tr ibute to the spirit of

cooperative federations that characterised the accord.

Secondly the CRWA has begun its work at a time when

there is uncertainty about when the cauvery water disputes

tribunal will announce its final award. It remains to be seen

whether the priminister's appeal to the chief minister to

continue in the spirit of mutual cooperation and under

standing that marked the setting up of the authority will help

in the spredy resolution of the cauvery dispute.

39. PILLAI (Sreedha). The cauvery card. Sunday. 25, 30;

1998, July, 26; 24.

The Tamil Nadu politicians use the river water sharing

44

issue to embarrass the centre. Cauvery is an emotive issue

for the people of both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka seven

years have passed since the cauvery tribunal's interim order

asking Karnataka to release 205 meter fit of vî ater to Tamil

Nadu's former annually. Karnataka has not agreed to this.

In a game of one upmanship, Karananidhi hurriedly faxed a

latter to the PM., GK Moon paner called for an all party

meeting and Jayalalitha said Karnataka was blocking

implementation of the inter imaulard through ordinances and

lawsuits. It's totally unreasonable to expect the four month

old BJP government to solve a problem which has ben

hanging free for seven years.

40. SREEDHAR PILLAI. Troubled waters. Sunday. 25, 34; 1998,

August, 23-29; 30.

The art icle deal with tracing the history of the

cauvery dispute. The suit was closed in view of the scheme

notified by the centre which has created an authority

headed by the priminister with reparian stats as its

members cauvery has been at the centre of the over 150

year old dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The

cauvery begins her 800 km journey from the picturesque

kodogu district in Karnataka. She has cades into two fills

before entering the plains of Tamil Nadu where she becomes

the lifeline of formers. The dams were build by both the

states across they cauvery. The supreme court ordered the

PM to solve the issue. Finally in a major break through

priminister Atal Behari Vajpayee was able to get the chief

45

minister of the four reparian states to agreement scheme

for the implementation of the 1997 interm award of the

cauvery water disputes tribunal and for creating a river

valley authority with the priminister as the head.

41. VENKATESAN (V). The Cauvery conundrum. Frontline.

15,16; 1998, August, 1-14; 30-31.

The article deals with the supreme court setting a July

12 "deadline" for the centre to work out a negotiated

settlement to the cauvery dispute the Vajpayee Government

finds itself pulled in different directions by political parties in

Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The BJP led coalition govrnment

at the centre is virtually being tern apart by interge

pressure from political parties in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka

on the cauvery water issue. It found negotiated settlement to

the decades olddispute between the two states. A

memorandum signed by members of parliament belonging to

all political parties in the AIADMK led front in Tamil Nadu,

barring the Marunalarchi Dravida Munpetra Kazhazam

(MDMK) was submitted to the priminister. The memorandum

submitted by the all party delegation to Atal Behari

Vajpayee stated. The solution to the problem does not lie in

the creation of a mechanism or a regulatory authority

equipped with statutory powers. Many observed believe that

an negotiated settlement between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu

is the only posssible solution to the cauvery dispute.

46

42. VENKATESEN (V). Role of the Monitoring Committee.

Frontline. 15, 17; 1998, August, 15, 28; 25-28.

The author express his views that the deaks were

cleared for the announcement of a scheme to give effect to

the interm award of the cauvery water dispute tribunal with

the drafting committee finalising the role of and functions of

the monitoring committee at a late night meeting on August.

The committee wil l assist the authority in collecting

information and data the three states and Pondichery

agreed. Atal Behari Vajpayee have more powers than the

authority. The state and union Territory have also agreed

that the monitoring (committee will assist the authority in

setting up a well designed hydro-meterorological network in

the cauvery basin. The authority the first of its kind to be

created compulsing the Priminister Atal Behari Vajpayee and

chiefminister) in any river water sharing agreement would

offer the much needed political healing touch.

43. MURTHY (Sachidananda). Fruid Situation. The Week. 16,

36; 1998, August, 23; 44-47.

The article deals with the water sharing issue depends

the mistrust between Vajpayee and Jayalalitha. The cauvery

aggreement was the biggest betrayal. The cauvery issue it

was their turn to be arrogant towards the difficult lady of

Channai. Vajpay's men had worked elaborate plans on

cauvery. Jayalalitha's priminister's had thought that Vajpayee

would invite their leader for talks on the dispute before he

meet the chief minister of the four basin state on August 6.

47

As he found Vajpayee was ignoring the major ally more

and more he softened considerably on the cauvery water

draft scheme. But Karunanidhi wanted to anger Jayalalitha

more by accepting the Vajpayee proposal . When

Ramamurthy finally met Vajpayee, the agreement had been

reached and water resources secretary. Z. Hasan had

already signed the gazette notification. Finally Vajpayee and

Jayalalitha had no mutual trust at all.

44. VENKATESAN (V). And quiet flows the Cauvery. Frontline.

15, 17; 1998, August, 15-28; 25-29.

In the case of the long festering cauvery issue

conciliation has last trumphed over confrontation. Decades

old dispute over the sharing of the cauvery rever water

between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka appeared to have been

almost resolved in two days on August 6 and 7, when

priminister Atal Behari Vajpayee held discussions with the

chiefministers of Tamil Nadu Karnataka, Kerala and

Pondhichery. The August 7 agreement seemed to satisfy

both the main contenders, Tamil Nadu and karnataka if one

by the ini t ial reactions. In ttie case of the cauvery

conciliation trumpted over confrontation. A key advisor to

Kamnanidhi on the cauvery issue, Guhan was of the opinion

that the cauvery systems in the world and there was little

surplus water available from it. He believed that all river

water disputes were amenable to solution if there was the

will for conciliation.

48

45. NAGARAJ (B.S.)- Cauvery : Rain Saves the day for

Vajpayee. Indian Express. 67, 324; 1999, September, 29; 1.

Rains saved the day for priminister Atal Behari

Vajpayee who put off tomorrow is meeting of the Cauvery

River Authority after karnataka Chief Minister J.H. Patel

said he could not attend it because of his indisposition.

Tanil Nadu seemed releived that parts of the catchment

areas in th state and in Karnataka had received rains

which led to a five-fold size in the water level in Mettur

dam. The Priminister Atal Behari Vajpayee also did a good

turn to Patel whose refusal to release water immediately was

with an ege on the polling for five assembly seats on

October 3. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister also wests to

Vajpayee asking him to persuade karnataka to realease

some water. The three member experts team led by water

resources secretary. Z. Hasan which visit the two states for

an on the spot assessment of the availability and needs of

water in the two state wi l l submit its report to the

priminister tomorrow.

46. CALMING THE water. Economic and Political Weekly. 33,

33; 1998, August 15-22; 2205.

The author express his view that the central of BJP

government counsil was able, after al l , to present the

supreme court with a draft scheme on cauvery waters

acceptable to all the basin states cannot but be regarded

as a triumph of Atal Behari Vajpayee's skills of persuasion.

The agreement at some point between Karnataka and Tamil

49

Nadu and various committees proposal under the cauvery

river authority. However for the BJP led government at the

centre this success paves the way for the resolution of

other river desputes, such as that over the Sutlej - Yamuna

link between Punjab and Haryana, both currently governed

by parties foundly to the BJP. Also river waters policy to

provide the framework for settlement of inter-state water

dispute promised in the BJP manifests might well take

concrete shape.

47. THOMAS (K.M.). Trick or Treat. India Today. 23, 34; 1998,

August, 24; 20-22.

The article deals with the cauvery agreement that gave

the AIADMK chief yet another excuse to bring Vajpayee's

Government perilously close to a down fall. When Prime

Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee negotiated an agreement with

the chief minister of Tamil nadu, Karnataka and Pondichery

over the sharing of cauvery waters. Add chiefminister M.

Karunanidhi. "This is a victory for the people of the four

states. It was thanks to this triumph that the BJP led

Goviernment came perilosly close to being deprived of a

majority. During the latest cauvery crises the was distinctly

unenthasiastic. Jayalalitha saw the cauvery settlement as a

victory for Karunanidhi. Despite advise from BJP hard lines

who felt that the cauvery issue was the most appropriate

occasion for the Government to call he bluff and play

martyr, Vajpayee wanted to offer Jayalalitha an opportunity

to saveforce. Both the BJP and the AIADMK were not ready

with an alternative scheme to save the government.

50

48. —-, -—, CIVILIAN-PRISONERS.

AMIT BARUAH. India, Pakistan to exchange Civi l ian

Prisoners Today. The Hindu. 122, 68; 1999, March 22; 1.

The article deals with Indian Priminister Atal Behari

Vajpayee and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's

exchange of c iv i l ian prisoners at the wagah border

tomorrow. While India well hand over 43 prisoners to

Pakistan. Islamabad will realiease 15 Indian detenus. The

Prminister of both countries have agreed to facilitate more

contact between the separated families and prisoners and

for this purpose the procedure of interview prisoners is

being simplefied. In a joint statement issue on March 6,

Indian and Pakistani off icials had agreed to release

specif ied civi l ian prisoners in three weeks while the

fishermen and their boats were to be freed in month.

49. -—, —-, COALITION.

PALSHIKAR (Suhas). Manipulative polit ics continues.

Economic and Political Weekly. 34, 13; 1999, March, 27;

743.

The author had expected that through the present

ruling alliance of the Shiv Sena and BJP had not endeavour

itself to the electorate section of the traditional moratha

following of the congress which are not preparred to

accommodate the details or the OBCs have become

vulnerable to the appeals from the Shiv Sena and BJP.

The Shiv Sena - BJP victory was a combination of many

factors. In such a scenario, the task before the congress

51

leadership would be to disintegrate the mythical maratha vote

and to seek build new alliance of the poor maratha with

other non maratha castes including the delites. The will

virtually mean writing a fresh text on the politics of the

state.

50. .—, .—, .—, AGENDA.

SHAMEEM FAIZEE . BJP Stammers out an Agenda for

Governance. New Age. 46, 12; 1998, March, 22-28; 1.

Despite all our efforts to win over the post poll allies

to Cobble up a majority by jettisoning several prepoll allies

and winning over individuals and small groups by all sorts

of inducement, Atal Behari Vajpayee has to be content to

be sworn in as priminister of a majority coalition of about

one and a half dozen parties and groups. He took over

office alongwith 43 others and 22 cabinet ministers and

equal number as minister of states. BJP Apart from

Vajpayee and Advani, Dr. Murii Manohar Joshi and Jaswant

Singh have also authanticated the document.

51. KAPOOR (Sanjay). Priminister Sick, but government is

sicker. Blitz. 58, 32; 1998, August, 8; 1.

Fuelled by rumours about the health of priminister Atal

Behari Vajpayee, moves to pull down the BJP-led coalition

government have begun In right earnest. The Vajpayee still

talks of peace some of his colleagues in government seem

to be pursuing a different agenda. The BJP's failure to

push its candidate for the post of deputy speakership of the

52

Lok Sabha has also shown that it is no longer confident of

proving its majority. Only t ime wi l l te l l whether its

confidence in its ability to govern India has been eroded

for good.

52. .—, — , —., AGREEMENT.

KIDWAI (Ansar). Kicking up a Row. Nation and the World.

8, 159; 1998, June, 1; 14.

Author discuss his views about Home Minister and BJP

ideologue L.K. Advani has raised a stormby insisting on

review of the constitution and advocating the presidential

system of governance. Atal Behari Vajpayee spoke more

liked priminister than a party luminary; on the other hand

the out going party. Cheif L.K. Advani's Utterances were

marked by political rhetoric in his dual role as a party

ideologue as well as the home minister of the BJP led

coal i t ion. Vajpayee's emphasis was on strengthening,

evenexpanding, the present coalition arrangement. BJP

leadership has been at pains to make it clear that the

national agenda is a compact of compromise to ensure to

survival of the coalition arrangement else their original stand

on the construction of the temple at Ayodhya. The issue as

of course arguable both its pros and cons but the timing of

Advani's advocacy has tarred it with a deeply political

colour.

53. —-, —-, —., COMMUNALISM, PROMOTION.

NAYAR (Kuldip) 100 Days of BJP Led Government.

Radiance. 33, 26; 1998, June, 28; 8.

53

The BJP led government completed its 100 days in

office. The BJP wants India to be right wining milliant

states. It has pushed the country to a different direction,

from peace to aggressiveness from conci l ia t ion to

confrontation. The Bhartiya Janata Party led coalition is

conniving at efforts to commualise the atmosphere. The

communalism has increased since the advent of Vajpayee's

government. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a member of RSS

Parivar, is openly talking about the Hindu Raj. The debate in

parliament s