New Delhi, February 21
The government today came under heavy attack in Lok Sabha with the Opposition charging Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee with seeking to flare up “communal tension” by playing the Hindutva card ahead of the Himachal Assembly poll.
Taking exception to the Prime Minister’s remarks yesterday at an election rally that there was evidence to prove that a temple existed where the Babri Masjid once was agitated the Opposition.
Mr Vajpayee has intentionally rake up the issue to “communalise” the situation and win the elections in Himachal Pradesh.
The issue was raised during zero hour by Samajwadi Party member Ramji Lal Suman. He said the remarks of the Prime Minister were uncalled for especially a day before the Supreme Court’s scheduled hearing on the matter. “It is an attempt to create communal atmosphere in the country and incite sentiments of the people by creating communal frenzy”, he said.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Sushma Swaraj defended the remarks of the Prime Minister by saying that Mr Vajpayee has categorically stated that the government will accept the decision of the Supreme Court.
“I have spoken to the Prime Minister yesterday and we will abide by the Supreme Court ruling. There can be nothing more reassuring to the people than for the Prime Minister to say in a huge election rally that the government will abide by the Supreme Court ruling even if there were evidences of the existence of a temple”, Ms Swaraj said.
CPM leader Somnath Chaterjee said they were concerned about the remarks of the Prime Minister as these have come from the head of the government.
“Should the elections be decided on communal lines? We condemn the statement. The Prime Minister is trying to influence the decision of the government”, he said.
Congress leader Shivraj Patil said the Prime Minister’s remarks were against interest of the society and country.
