Shanta explains stand to PM, Dy PM

Union Minister Shanta Kumar on Wednesday met Vajpayee and Dy PM Advani separately to explain his position over his remarks holding BJP Govt responsible for HP debacle.

Under attack from the party top brass over his remarks holding the state BJP Government's performance responsible for the party's debacle in the recent Assembly polls, Union Minister Shanta Kumar on Wednesday met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani separately to explain his position.

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Kumar was directed by Party President M Venkaiah Naidu to give an explanation for making such an "embarassing" statement.

At a meeting here on Sunday to analyse the poll fiasco, party bossess including Vajpayee and Advani had singled out factionalism in the party's state unit as the main reason.

Vajpayee also took strong exception to the remarks by Shanta Kumar that people were angry and unhappy with the performance of the state Government under BJP.