Congress has a role in Babri Masjid controversy: SP

Samajwadi Party on Sunday alleged that the Congress had a role in the Babri Masjid controversy and that the mosque was demolished under that Party's rule.

"Antipathy of Muslims against Congress is precisely because 'Azaan' (morning prayers) in the mosque was stopped by Congress, idols were kept in the mosque by Congress. 'Shila pujan' in the mosque was done by Narayan Dutt Tiwari and Rajiv Gandhi together.

"Kalyan Singh was the chief minister but immediately his government was dismissed. 20 per cent of the mosque was demolished when Kalyan Singh was there and remaining 80 per cent was demolished when Moti Lal Vora, nominee of Narasimha Rao-led Congress, was there as Governor," SP general secretary Amar Singh alleged while responding to query on whether his Party's Muslim base had eroded after the exit of its Muslim face Azam Khan.
    
Targeting the present Congress regime for the demolition of the mosque, Singh alleged, "the only excuse that Congress gives today is that it was Narasimha Rao's regime and now Sonia Gandhi is there. So, I am not talking about individuals. I am talking about Congress as a whole."

Singh's attacks on the Congress comes amid government formation by the UPA Government and inclusion of pre-poll alliance partners in the Union Cabinet. SP has offered unconditional support to the Government.