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Shahid K Abbas in New Delhi
The Congress on Wednesday expressed 'great disappointment' at Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani's unwillingness to give "specific and meaningful commitments" on the disturbing developments taking place in Ayodhya following the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's call to start building a temple on March 15.
In a statement issued by chief spokesman S Jaipal Reddy, the party said it would continue to focus on this "potentially dangerous situation and mobilise public opinion through Parliament to prevent communalisation of the atmosphere in the country and violation of the law of the land".
"In light of the disturbing developments taking place in Ayodhya, where the VHP has announced a plan of action to build the Ram temple irrespective of the constraints laid down by the Supreme Court, the Congress president requested the prime minister to convene an all-party meeting," Reddy said.
The intention, he said, was to give the government an opportunity to take leaders of all political parties into confidence and assure the nation that nothing untoward would take place.
"The intentions of the VHP are loud and clear and they will go to any extent to unlawfully build the temple after March 15," Reddy said, expressing "gravest concern" at the violence in Gujarat.
"Our hearts go out to all those who lost their lives or were injured in the incident," he said. "Our considered view is that the need of the hour is for both communities to maintain peace and exercise restraint."
Urging the Government of Gujarat to take all steps required to restore normalcy, Reddy said, "This is a very sensitive situation and needs to be dealt with both care and firmness."
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