PM counters Lalu's Babri demolition charge

Guwahati, Apr 19 (ANI): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday countered Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's allegation that the Congress was responsible in part for the demolition of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya in December 1992.

Speaking to reporters during an election campaign here, Singh said that Congress was only wrong in placing its confidence on then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, who had assured the Supreme Court that the Babri Masjid would be safe.

"The Congress had every reason to believe him," said Singh.

Lalu Prasad, during an election rally in Manigachi in Bihar's Darbhanga District on Saturday had said, "When the Babri Masjid was demolished, the Congress was in power at the Centre. There is little doubt that it provided tacit support to the BJP instead of preventing them from demolishing the mosque."

When asked about the speculation that the militant outfit Taliban would take control of nuclear weapons in Pakistan, he said that Islamabad has assured New Delhi that their nuclear assets are in safe hands.

"We have been assured that their nuclear assets are in safe hands and I do not want to disbelieve that assurance," said Singh at a press conference.

On the issue of Naxalism and terrorism, Singh said that both pose a "great threat" to the security and integrity of the country.

Concerned over the recent attacks by Naxals during the first phase of Lok Sabha polls, he said that the Congress is determined to fight divisive forces.

When asked about post-poll alliances, Singh clarified that the future of the Congress and the Left parties coming together cannot be predicted.

He, however, expressed his belief that the Congress and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) allies will form the next government.

Expressing confidence that India would continue to grow above six percent this fiscal, Singh urged the people of the state to vote for the Congress.

Asserting that "it is the demand of time that Congress should get five more years to govern the country", he promised to work for a "new India" and "prosperous Assam".

Singh also mentioned the steps taken by the UPA government for the welfare of minorities like formation of a new ministry for minority affair, PM's 15-point programme and identification of minority concentrated districts for carrying out special development works.

Singh, who was on a day-long visit to Guwahati for electioneering, also informed that he would be coming back to Assam on April 23 to cast his vote for the Guwahati Lok Sabha constituency.

"Yes, I will be coming here for voting on April 23. My wife (Gursharan Kaur) will also vote with me," he said. (ANI)