Now, Lalu attacks Congress over Babri demolition

In controversial remarks, RJD chief Lalu Prasad has said the Congress too was responsible for the demolition of the Babri mosque as it did nothing to prevent it.

"The Babri masjid was razed to the ground and Congress too is responsible for it as it did nothing to prevent it," he said addressing an election meeting at Manhgachi in Bihar's Darbhanga district yesterday.

"If anyone continues to talk nonsense, I will reveal more," he said, without elaborating.

Lalu, who had recently been chastised by the Election Commission for his 'crush-under-the-roller' remark against BJP candidate Varun Gandhi, described BJP as 'Bharat jalao party'.

"The BJP is Bharat jalao party. It wants to see that India is up in flames," he said.

Accusing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of calling up district magistrates and commissioners pressurising them to recommend cancellation of voting at polling stations in areas of influence of RJD, Lalu said, "I am least worried. The more they will try to harm me, the more votes I and my allies will get."

A wave is blowing in favour of the alliance of RJD-LJP-SP, he claimed.

Congress responds

Meanwhile, reacting to Yadav's comments, Union minister Vayalar Ravi said, "I don't know how he can make such a statement. But it is unfortunate and not expected from Yadav. Lalu and all the people must understand that they have good relations with the government."

It is the BJP-Shiv Sena alongwith hindutva elements that demolished the mosque in 1992. Yadav knows it better that it was the BJP and its leader L K Advani who are responsible for it. Advani, he said, was present in Ayodhya and witnessed the demolition.

Dismissing Yadav's allegation as "baseless", Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said the RJD chief's off-the-cuff comments coming in the midst of elections doesn't show the senior leader in good light.

Another Congress leader, Verappa Moily also deprecated Yadav saying division of opinion at a time when the secular forces were fighting communal elements was "most unfortunate".

...And so do BJP, Nitish

The BJP scoffed at Yadav's comments coming at this juncture.

"Yadav has been a union minister for the last five years and still is a member of Manmohan Singh's cabinet. Actually, both the Congress and Yadav are two sides of the same coin because whenever Congress has its eye on the Muslim vote bank, then it is reminded of this old incident," BJP spokesman Balbir Punj said.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish kumar said Yadav by raking up the Babri issue stood "totally exposed". If Yadav wants to expose the Congress party, then he should do so fully. The Congress too needs to tell the nation why "such people have been saved for 12 years".