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Laxman warns of agitation if ministers are charged

Baratiya Janata Party president Bangaru Laxman said Tuesday if charges were framed against BJP leaders LK Advani, Uma Bharati and Murli Manohar Joshi then the party should launch agitation as that can only be construed as politically motivated.

Talking to newsmen in Poona, Laxman said the media, central and state intelligence agencies present during the demolition of the Babri masjid had clearly noticed that the three leaders were making frantic appeals not to demolish the structure.

"When this was the reality then how could one attribute that they were abetting the crime?" he asked. If the charges were framed then "I will construe it as politically motivated act and the entire party will have to agitate against it," he said.

Replying to a question Laxman said the prime minister never stated that building the temple was on the BJP's agenda nor did he say we are going to rebuild the temple or relocate the masjid.

Laxman clarified that the prime minister only meant that the issue could be amicably settled through negotiations.

In sensitive case like this out of court settlements are always better, Laxman said. "But the way in which the atmopshere is being vitiated by the opposition parties I don't think that will happen," he added.

Laxman said the Congress was raking up the Ayodhya issue in Parliament to incite the minorities.

He said the Congress was worried about the growing interest of the minorities in the BJP after his call to them to join the BJP with an open heart, he said, adding, the BJP's thrust was to welcome all sections of the people into the party irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

The pipe dream of opposition parties to stoke communal passions by raking up the Babri masjid issue will not be fulfilled, he added.

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