Rahul Gandhi sticks to his comment on Babri Masjid

Dillari, Moradabad, Mar 20 (UNI)Under fire from the Opposition for his statement on Babri Masjid, Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi today said he ''stood by'' his remark that the demolition could have been prevented had a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family been active in politics, clarifying that ''it was not aimed at wooing the minorities'' in the run-up to the UP Assembly elections.

Addressing a news conference, Mr Gandhi said it was an observation made by his father late Rajiv Gandhi at his residence.'' It was not intended to derogate any party or person nor was it a vote bank strategy.'' Asked whether he takes UP polls as the semi final or quarter final of World Cup, he said he found no relation between the two.

His sole ''aim is to bring the state back on the path of development.'' Elaborating on the problems being faced by the state, he said ''they are long term and the solution lies with the youth who need to change their attitude and fight the odds.I am here because I have a special concern for the state and its condition is not acceptable to the people of the state or India as a whole because it involves nearly 200 million people.'' On alliances in UP for the coming polls, he said talks were on with some parties, however, ruling out an alliance with the BSP. He said alliance of any sort with the BSP was not likely.

Denying that he was not in favour of alliances, Mr Gandhi said ''I had only talked about it in 1996 alliance with the BSP as they fell out. ''Not all alliances are a sellout and talks are on with some parties for some alliances.'' He wished the Indian cricket team good luck for the ongoing World Cup.

Public gathering at Mr Gandhi's roadshow increased dramatically on its third day today.

In several roadside meetings Rahul once again called upon the people to join hands with the Congress in uprooting the corrupt and divisive Mulayam Singh government at Uttar Pradesh.

Another significant development was the reception accorded to Rahul by the Muslim population of the region--Bareilly, Muradabad, Rampur, Dalpatpur, and other areas wherever the Congress roadshow caravan went.

As if answering these apprehensions of the community, Rahul Gandhi told a gathering of about 2000 people in a small town of Bhojpur in Muradabad district that he had actually come for them to bring them out from the fractious condition and was willing to fight with them shoulder to shoulder.

'' I have come here to tell you that I'll keep coming here regularly after elections to look into your problems and fight for the redressal of your grievances''.

'' I am not going back. I'll return soon,'' he added.

UNI