The Hindu : `Chandra Shekhar came close to solving Ayodhya issue'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 22, 2002

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`Chandra Shekhar came close to solving Ayodhya issue'

By Our Special Correspondent

PATNA Sept. 21. The Vice-President, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, has claimed that the former Prime Minister, Chandra Shekhar, during his tenure had come close to solving the Ayodhya dispute, but for the Congress' `unfortunate action' of withdrawing support to him in 1990.

Speaking at a function here today on Mr. Shekhar's 75th birthday, Mr. Shekhawat delivered a political speech, virtually accusing the Congress for the impasse over the Ayodhya dispute.

He eulogised Mr. Shekhar for his `plain-speaking and tough decisions' and narrated the moves he had initiated for solving the problem. Mr. Shekhawat, who was the Rajasthan Chief Minister then, was present at the meeting Mr. Shekhar was having with the members of the Babri Masjid Action Committee (BMAC).

Mr. Shekhar had made it clear that he was not for the demolition of the mosque and that he was against the agitation that the BMAC had planned. He gave a similar message to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and stressed that there was only one way to solve the problem — the two sides should sit together and find a solution.

According to Mr. Shehkawat, the committee that had been formed was almost on the verge of a arriving at a solution within two or three days. The members of the BMAC and the VHP were to have shared lunch and there appeared to have been no ill-feeling among them. But the Congress withdrew support to Mr. Shekhar's Government. "If that had not happened, the communal tension that prevails today might not be in existence," Mr. Shekhawat said.

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