Patna: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad on Saturday stunned everyone by saying that the Congress was as responsible as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 as it had failed to protect the mosque.
After blaming the BJP and its senior leader L K Advani for the demolition of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad said that the Congress was also responsible for the razing of the 16th century mosque.
"The BJP and its leader L K Advani - who is dreaming of becoming the next prime minister - were mainly responsible for demolition of the mosque, but the Congress cannot escape for its failure to protect it," he told reporters in Patna.
The RJD chief was speaking at an election meeting in Darbhanga constituency on Friday.
He told newspersons on Saturday that if the Congress had wanted, it could have prevented the mosque's demolition.
The RJD supremo's remarks are seen as a bid to woo Muslim voters ahead of the second phase of polls April 23.
The Congress has described the attack as unfortunate. Congress leader Veerapa Moily has said that his party was helpless at the time but definitely not to blame for the demolition.
"This kind of a divison in opinion - particularly when we are fighting agianst communal elements - is unfortunate. Congress is not all responsible. If anybody is responsible it is the Jan Sangh with which Lalu Prasad joined hands while he was in Janata Party. We have expressed regret over the Babri Masjid demolition a number of times," Moily said.
Lalu - who had hit out L K Advani as well for his role in the mosque's demolotion has been slammed by an upset BJP as well. The BJP in turn attacked the Prime Minister and said it will complain to the Election Commission.
BJP Spokesperson Balbir Punj said,"Manmohan Singh is a slave of the Gandhi dynasty."
Meanwhile, the controversy has left Lalu's arch-rival wondering why the Congress is putting up with such an irresponsible ally.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has slammed Lalu for his comments on Babri and Congress' role and has asked him to explain his relationship with Congress.
"Lalu is an opportunist. Congress party is also responsible for this. Why does the Congress have a relationship with such an irresponsible person? Lalu is demoralised now. Secularism was never a issue for him as he only wants power," Nitish Kumar said.
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