Author: PTI
Publication: The Hindu
Date: December 6, 2000
Prime Minister Atal Behari
Vajpayee today rejected as unjustified the Opposition demand for resignation
of three chargesheeted Ministers including L K Advani, saying Ayodhya was
no issue to quit because temple construction was an expression of national
feeling which was yet to be realised.
"They (Ministers chargesheeted
in the Babri Masjid demolition case) were in Ayodhya to protect it (mosque)
and not to demolish it," Vajpayee told reporters strongly defending Advani,
Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti on whose resignation demand the Opposition
paralysed Parliament for the third day today.
"Ayodhya Mein Ram Mandir
Ka Nirman Rashtriya Bhavana Ke Prakatikaran Ka Karan Tha, Jo Abhi Tak Poora
Nahin Hua (construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya was an expression of national
feeling which is yet to be realised)," Vajpayee remarked.
Accusing the Congress
of raking up the demand because it had no other issues, Vajpayee sought
to distinguish between the resignation by Minister of State for Defence
Harin Pathak, chargesheeted in a murder case and the three Ministers.
"The Gujarat Minister
resigned because we wanted certain propriety to be maintained whereas Ayodhya
issue is no reason for resignation," he said.
