rediff.com News Editor Pankaj Upadhyaya, Assistant Managing Editor George Iype and Correspondent A Ganesh Nadar, who travelled with Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's Bharat Uday Yatra, answers readers' queries:
Thomson Dcruz from Mumbai
As the Advani rath passes through Ayodhya, do you think he will raise the issue of Ram Temple?
Pankaj: He surely will. In fact, he referred to a possible solution to the mandir-masjid issue the day he set out on this yatra. He will speak about the mandir when he is in Ayodhya and at most places in Uttar Pradesh. However, he will be circumspect in what he says for two reasons; first, Ayodhya is not an issue in this campaign and secondly, he is the deputy prime minister in an NDA government not BJP.
Girish Karnavar from Chennai
Isn't Advani fooling the people involved in the Ram Temple movement by not building the temple?
Pankaj: It's not possible for Advani or his government to just go ahead and build the temple. Their stand that either a court verdict or a negotiated settlement between the two communities alone can solve the issue is a sensible one. Again, remember it is an NDA government not a BJP government.
Girija from Korea
It is said that if BJP alone can get two-third majority then Advani can become prime minister. Is it true?
Pankaj: If the BJP wins a majority on its own, it will be much easier for Advani to become the prime minister. Many believe that within the party, he is more popular than Vajpayee. But BJP winning a majority on its own looks very unlikely.
Rajan from Mumbai
Why is L K Advani's Rath Yatra not going through Mumbai?
Pankaj: If you put this question to the BJP, they will cite logistical problems, paucity of time. You put this question to the Congress, they will say he is running scared. The answer, I guess, lies someplace in between.
M K Kaul from Delhi
Should not Advani culminate his yatra at Srinagar to snub separatist elements?
Pankaj: Travelling by road in a bus with thousands of people milling around in Kashmir would be far too dangerous for Advani. Not worth the risk, I'd say.
Jishnu from Bangalore
Why is Advani leaving northeast from your yatra?
Pankaj: That question again! It is far too dangerous to undertake a journey whose details are disclosed in advance in a militancy-infested area. Far, far too dangerous. Besides, the terrain in the northeast is not conducive to such yatras.
Vijay from Dubai
What are the chances of NDA and BJP in Tamil Nadu. What are the chances for AIADMK?
Ganesh Nadar: Dear Vijay, the chances seem poor, though I have a feeling that they will win in Nagercoil and Coimbatore. As for the AIADMK, they seem to be ignoring the yatra. I don't think that the NDA-BJP will win more than 10 seats in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. The DMK will get about 30 seats. There is a perception that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa is arrogant, especially after the manner in which she dealt with the recent strike of the government workers in which more than 200,000 workers were fired. She has also stopped free electricity to farmers and stopped lottery sales.
Ajit from Surendranagar
What is the main difference between this yatra and the earlier one?
George: Advani's latest yatra is entirely different from the other two he led earlier. This one is an election road show. His first yatra in 1990 was for the Ayodhya cause and it created considerable communal frenzy and tension. The second yatra in 1997 was in connection with the 50th anniversary of Independence. The latest yatra is purely political, to ask for votes. So far there has been no incidence of violence or communal tension due to the latest yatra.
Rajesh from Delhi
How was response in Kerala? Especially in Kochi, Thrissur, and Thiruvananthapuram
George: The response in Kerala was lukewarm. There were not many excited crowds to see Advani. In the public meetings he addressed, there were not huge crowds. That may be because the BJP does not have much presence in Kerala and also the state is reeling under a severe drought these days.
Tsewang Rigzin from Ladakh
Dear George, is it good to have his own family members in the name of yatra? Is BJP allowed to use 'India Shining' propaganda even after the implementation of the model code of conduct? Why is BJP not disclosing the expenses of the yatra?
George: His family members were there only for two days. The BJP is allowed to tell the people that India is shining because of the Vajpayee government, but not at the government expenses. The BJP may disclose the expenses of the yatra after it concludes on April 14. The party has not yet said anything about the yatra expenses.
Selod S I from Vasai, Thane
What has Advani promised all the maulanas that they are tagging along?
George: Hi, Selod, Advani is telling Muslims and also Christians that BJP is not at all an anti-minority party. He has told them that the minority communities in India are safe and secure under the BJP and they need not fear anything. It is an attempt to win over the minorities.
Shyam S from Thiruvananthapuram
What did Advani say in Thiruvananthapuram? Did he say that BJP will win the TVM seat?
George: Advani lambasted the Marxists and Congress, telling the people that Kerala is going into backwardness because of the rule by these two parties. He said that the BJP would open its electoral account this time from the TVM seat.
