Narasimha Rao knew about Babri demolition plans: Singhal

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Ashok Singhal today claimed that late Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao had requested former RSS supremo Bhau Rao Devras to inform him about the demolition in Ayodhya at least a night before.

Referring to former Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani's recent book 'My Country My Life' here, he also hinted at a 'co-ordination' between the then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao and then Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh during the demolition of Babri mosque in Ayodhya.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Singhal claimed that late Prime Minister Narasimha Rao had requested former RSS supremo Bhau Rao Devras to inform him at least a night before the demolition of the mosque in Ayodhya.

"With Narasimha Rao at the Centre and Kalyan Singh in UP, it was a good combination...P V Narasimha Rao wanted the construction of Ram Temple," he said to a poser on the mention of Ayodhya issue in Mr Advani's book.

In his autobiography, Mr Advani had claimed that Mr Rao held many views that were "congruent to those of the BJP".

"Firstly I admired Rao's erudition. He combined a scholarly understanding of national and international affairs with rich political and administrative experience," the book read.

" Secondly, in my initial meetings with him, I found that his views on several critical policy issues to be congruent to those of the BJP." When he was Prime Minister from 1991 to 1996, Mr Rao received criticism from a section of the Congress and the Left parties for not doing enough to prevent the demolition of the Babri mosque.

UNI NAB LS PM1843