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Akalis not to back BJP on Ayodhya legislation
R. Suryamurthy
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 13
The reported move of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to bring in a legislation to resolve the Ayodhya issue has been rejected by the Shiromani Akali Dal, (SAD), which has been extending unconditional support to the NDA government at the Centre.

“We will not welcome any unilateral move by the BJP, which is outside the common minimum programme agreed upon by NDA partners,” SAD General Secretary and Union minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa told The Tribune today.

Asked about the proposed unilateral move by the BJP to consider bringing in a legislation on Ayodhya, Mr Dhindsa said, “We will be happy if the BJP brings up the issue at the NDA platform and if the coalition partners agree, we will have no problems.

The BJP, which had been under considerable pressure from Sangh Parivar outfits, had reportedly agreed to consider bringing in a legislation to pave the way for the construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya.

The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) had been pressuring the BJP-led government to bring in a legislation and VHP leader Ashok Singhal had demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee if he could not meet the demand.

The BJP national executive, at its next meeting, is likely to debate on the Ayodhya issue, days before the monsoon session of Parliament commences.

The move comes within days of the All-India Muslim Personal Law Board rejecting the proposal of Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati.

Samata also opposes move

New Delhi, July 13
Declaring that the Ayodhya dispute must be resolved through dialogue or a court verdict, the Samata Party today said it was ‘not in favour’ of the BJP-led NDA government coming out with a legislation in Parliament to enable the construction of Ram Temple. — UNI