Ayodhya verdict: Cong satisfied with security

Congress president Sonia Gandhi appealed to the people to accept the verdict in the Ayodhya case. The Congress today expressed satisfaction over the security arrangements in Uttar Pradesh.

Party general secretary in-charge of UP, Digvijay Singh said, “Reports received from UP suggest the security arrangement in the state is satisfactory.”

But the party wants to remain skeptical about the BJP’s role, even though Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan called up Singh for support in tackling law and order.

After the Prime Minister led a series of appeals along with other members of the Cabinet to maintain peace, harmony and law and order, the Congress president made an appeal on behalf of the ruling party.

“We all know that the Lucknow bench of the Allabahad High Court will be giving its judgement on a sensitive issue. Along with this, we know that almost the entire country has expressed its willingness to accept the judgment by imposing faith in the impartiality of the judiciary,” said Gandhi.

“Accept whatever it is, as per our great tradition of having a liberal outlook. Unity in diversity and a composite culture is our most precious heritage and legacy,” she added.

The Congress party has decided to support the Mayawati government on her stand of a no-nonsense approach to tackle the situation. During the run-up to the verdict, interlocutors like BSP’s Satish Mishra were regularly in touch with top ministers of the UPA to chalk out a united effort.

While the Congress is confident about Mayawati’s arrangements, it wants the BJP-led state governments to take on the “fringe elements” who might try to create trouble after the verdict is delivered. “We have to see if the writ of the government runs in the BJP-ruled states or the RSS or VHP bosses get a free run,” Digvijay Singh said, adding, “Elements like Praveen Togadia should be controlled.”

But the Congress is confident the BJP will not be able to gain politically from the verdict. Top leaders suggest the situation is very different in 2010 than what it was in 1992. “Also, today’s youth wants to move beyond this mandir-masjid issue and focus on development issues,” said a leader.