Rajnath seeks to distance himself from Vedanti remarks

BHOPAL: BJP President Rajnath Singh Sunday sought to distance himself from the 'Vedanti fatwa' controversy, saying there was no place for violence in democracy.
    
Addressing a press conference at the end of the party's three-day National Executive meeting here, Singh also attacked DMK supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for 'hurting the sentiments' of crores of Hindus in the country and abroad.
    
He said since DMK was part of the Congress-led coalition at the Centre, the UPA should explain this remark.
    
Ram Vilas Vedanti, a senior VHP leader and former BJP MP, had said in Ayodhya that whosoever chopped the head and tongue of Karunanidhi for saying Ram did not exist, would be rewarded with gold.
    
Singh said BJP's endorsing 33 per cent reservation for women at all levels within the organisation was a 'milestone' in free India.
    
The party's national executive on Saturday gave a green signal to the measure, which will now be ratified by the National Council.
    
With speculation of early Lok Sabha poll, Singh announced programmes including a fortnight-long tour of all states by national leaders from October one to 15 to review the political situation and draw a time table for the party's future course of action.
    
He said the organisation would be geared up right up to the booth level across the country.