Date:02/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/02/stories/2006050203011100.htm

National

Centre can't change stand before Liberhan, says BJP

Siddharth Narrain

Change of parties in power cannot result in a change of stance

NDA Government's submission was taken on record three years ago
Fresh submission will mean opening inquiry afresh

Orders reserved on plea for "condonation of delay"

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party leaders L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi and the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Kalyan Singh, on Monday opposed the United Progressive Alliance Government's submission before the Justice Liberhan Commission that the demolition of the Babri Masjid was a "well-planned conspiracy."

At the last hearing, the UPA Government made its submissions along with an application for "condonation of delay." It said the December 6, 1992 demolition at Ayodhya was a "well-planned conspiracy" that began in 1989 when the BJP, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the Bajrang Dal and the Shiv Sena lent support for building a Ram temple. Also the BJP passed the Palampur resolution to remove all obstacles to its construction.B.B. Saxena, counsel for Mr. Singh, said the National Democratic Alliance Government's submissions were already taken on record three years ago. Change of political parties in power could not result in a change in the Centre's stance.

"The arguments filed by the previous counsel Lala Ram Gupta and the arguments filed by the present Central Government counsel are contradictory." Without owning or disowning the arguments advanced previously, there was no justification for the present submission.

Satya Pal Jain, counsel for Mr. Advani and Mr. Joshi, said allowing the UPA Government to make fresh submissions at this stage would amount to opening the inquiry and arguments afresh, and would be prejudicial to the interests of the other parties. Having taken a stand, the Centre could not be allowed to take a contrary view. I. B. Singh, counsel for D. B. Roy, former Senior Superintendent of Police, Faizabad, and R.N. Srivastava, former district magistrate, did not oppose the UPA Government's submissions being taken on record. Ayodhya comes under Faizabad district.

The Commission reserved orders on the Government's application for `condonation of delay.' Arguments by counsel for the Commission Anupam Gupta would be heard on May 10.