NDTV Correspondent Thursday, April 15, 2004 (Lucknow):

In an exclusive interview to NDTV, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has said that incidents like the Lucknow stampede prove that amidst India shining there are areas of darkness.

At least 22 women died on Monday in a stampede during a saree distribution ceremony which was part of BJP leader Lalji Tandon's birthday celebrations. 

The Prime Minister was speaking in Lucknow to NDTV's political editor Rajdeep Sardesai.

"This should never have happened. It is surprising that so many women came for free sarees. It shows that India has many aspects, some that shine and others that are still in the dark. This incident has come as a shock and made us realise that we cannot just focus on that part which is shining," said Vajpayee.

BJP decided on successor

Prime Minister Vajpayee also said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided on his successor. 

But he was ambiguous about who that would be and stopped well short of naming LK Advani. 

"I consider this to be my last elections," Vajpayee said, but side-stepped a direct answer to a question if his deputy LK Advani will take over.

"Within the party there is an agreement on what will happen when I am no longer there," he said.

Personal attacks 'unnecessary' 

Calling personal attacks unnecessary, the Prime Minister said he doesn't understand why political leaders resort to maligning Sonia Gandhi. 

But he reiterated his party's decision to bring in a law barring people of foreign origin from holding high constitutional posts.

"Everyone agrees that there should not be any personal attacks, but it keeps happening. 

"The 1942 issue has been following me ever since I've been fighting elections, but even though I have said repeatedly that I have done nothing shameful during the 1942 struggle, the personal attacks continue," Vajpayee said.

PM files nomination

The Prime Minister also urged the Lucknow electorate to give the NDA five more years to complete "unfinished tasks" and "remove deficiencies".

Lucknow has been Vajpayee's home for almost five decades and he has won this seat continuously from 1991. 

But there are fresh challenges for the Prime Minister in his own constituency. Lucknow still has over 600 slums and drinking water continues to be in short supply.

Source: NDTV.com