V.P. Singh wants to depose before Liberhan Commission

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 3. The former Prime Minister, Mr. Vishwanath Pratap Singh, today said he would like to depose before the Liberhan Commission of Inquiry probing the Babri Masjid- Ramjanmabhoomi demolition at Ayodhya in order to ``set the record straight''.

Countering the deposition of the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, before the

commission this week in which the Dr. Joshi blamed him, Mr. Singh told a press conference here that his lawyers would soon seek time from the commission.

Mr. Singh said it was not proper on Dr. Joshi's part to say that he (Mr. V.P.Singh) did not find a solution to the problem. He said the BJP leaders had then maintained that it was for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad to sort out the matter. On its part, the VHP wanted a solution but it was neither willing to abide by the court verdict nor give up demand for construction of a temple, he said.

Commenting on Dr. Joshi's deposition, Mr. V. P. Singh said while the BJP took credit for the act outside, the party leaders distanced themselves before the commission. ``Who will own the responsibility for the decision to bring down the Babri Masjid or build a movement to mould public opinion on the issue'' Mr. Singh said. He also said the courts should also expedite the Ayodhya case, pending for 40 years.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : National
Previous : Lead the fight against landmines, India urged
Next     : Cong. behaved as responsible Opposition, says
           Scindia