BJP ask Cong to explain 'Rajiv-RSS pact' on Ayodhya

New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) The BJP today said it was for the Congress to answer about the claims by a former MP that the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had forged a secret pact with the RSS in 1989 to allow 'shilanyas' at Ayodhya in return for its support in the elections.

BJP Parliamentary Party spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said the Congress owes an explanation about the claim made by its former MP, while reacting to news reports emanating from Nagpur quoting former Congress MP from the city Banwari Lal Purohit that he had facilitated a one-on-one meeting between the then RSS Chief Balasahab Deoras and Rajiv Gandhi's special emissary Bhanu Prakash Singh.

Mr Malhotra said it was no secret that RSS wanted the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. ''Mr Purohit is a Congressman and the party owes an explanation about the claim by one of its former MPs,'' he said.

Asked if this meant that the RSS was ready to dump BJP for the Congress, if the Ram temple was to materialise with the latter's support, Mr Malhotra said there was no truth in such claim.

UNI