NEW DELHI. Feb I: In a bid to woo minorities. BJP is likely to tone down its stand on Ayod -hya. Article 370 (special status to Jammu and Kashmir) and Uniform Civil Code in Its election manifesto scheduled to be released on February three, reports PTI

The thinking in the party now was to adopt a consensus approach on these critical issues as the party has entered into electoral alliance with half a dozen other parties and this was expected to be reflected in the manifesto, party sources said.

This change in stance comes in the wake of criticism on these issues by its ally. Samata Party and the manifesto committee was of the view that it was therefore "better to tone down stand on these issues in the larger interests." the sources said.

There appears to be some rethinking on the nuclear issue as well. Ilie party which had all along been forceful in demand-

ing that India should exercise its nuclear option might now only stress on having a weapon system whtch would deter neighbours from having any "ulterior motives."

The manifesto is likely to stress on the need to immediately set up a national security council with proper coordlna-tlop between the Ministry of Defence and the three wings of the defence forces, the sources said.

The party was critical of the existing budgetary allocation for defence and its manifesto would emphasis on rigging defence-related expenditure to real requirements.

The party if elected to office would immediately upgrade conventional weapons and the weapons system of the armed forces as also strengthen intelligence gathering system In view of the growing menace of terrorist activities in the country as also the insurgency in the north-eastern states, the sources said.