PM to clarify in Parliament

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, DEC. 9. The Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, today blamed the Opposition for starting the controversy on Ayodhya by raising the demand for the resignation of the three Ministers ``with an eye on December 6''. He refused to accept any responsibility for the controversy.

His remarks came at a lunch hosted by the BJP parliamentary party spokesman, Mr. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, at his residence. Later speaking to presspersons, Mr. Vajpayee asked, ``why this demand, they have been Ministers for years, there is no question of their resignation.'' On the Opposition stalling the Parliament proceedings he said their attitude was not a healthy sign for parliamentary democracy. ``The Opposition blames me for talking outside Parliament, now I will say whatever I have to in the House''.

The Prime Minister said he was prepared for a discussion on the issue. ``The rule under which a motion is to be discussed is always decided by the Speaker. I will accept whatever decision he takes.'' He sought to make light of the noises emanating from within the NDA ranks. ``None of the allies have complained to me''. He said he would welcome a meeting of the NDA alliance partners.

Mr. Vajpayee refused to comment on the remarks of the RSS chief, Mr. Sudershan, that the mosque was brought down by a bomb in 1992. ``I have read about it, but cannot react to it.'' he said.

Despite Mr. Vajpayee readiness to have a discussion in Parliament, the other BJP leaders continued to goad the Opposition, particularly the Congress, into moving a no- confidence motion. Mr. Malhotra felt it was the only option before the Opposition as the subject did not fall under the purview of Rule 184 as suggested by the Congress.

The BJP president, Mr. Bangaru Laxman, told presspersons after the Prime Minister left, that the whole controversy had been generated by the Opposition because they were afraid that the minorities were coming close to the BJP after his Nagpur call.

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