Accusing top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani of betraying Hindus, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Friday said both the leaders sought to curb the Ram Janambhoomi movement.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance lost power at the Centre because both Vajpayee and Advani failed to look after the interests of Hindus, VHP president Ashok Singhal told a press conference in Bangalore.

"Hindus had great expectations from Vajpayee. To their utter surprise, they [Vajpayee and Advani] turned aggressive
against the very agitation [Ram Janambhoomi] which brought them to power," he said.

"They tried to curb the Ram Janambhoomi movement and the people have rejected them. There is nothing wrong in this," Singh said.

Asked who else will fulfil the expectations of Hindus if Vajpayee and Advani could not, Singhal commented: "We need a better leadership [in the BJP], a better leadership which can look after the interests of Hindus."

Asked if he saw anybody in that role in the BJP, he replied: "I can't say anything. Somebody will emerge. I can
say we need a Hindu face. Victory in Madhya Pradesh [assembly election in 2003] was because of a Hindu face.

"The only reason for the victory in Madhya Pradesh is [Chief Minister] Uma Bharti. People have faith she will look after their interests and she is looking after their interests."

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