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Congress pans VHP's decision to
observe 'Vijay Diwas'

The Congress on Wednesday took serious exception to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's decision to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the demolition of the disputed structure at Ayodhya on December 6 as 'Vijay Diwas' [Victory Day].

"It is a matter of grave concern that the VHP has joined the BJP in its communal and divisive campaign by deciding to observe December 6 as Vijay Diwas," party spokesman Anand Sharma said in New Delhi.

He said December 6, 1992, was a blot on the nation and the demolition involved three Union ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani.

Ironically, the festival of Id, which follows the month of Ramzan, is likely to fall on December 6 this year.

Urging the people to ignore such programmes, which "are aimed at spreading hatred and disharmony between communities", Sharma said, "The entire campaign is provocative and communal."

"The BJP is a sinking ship in Gujarat like elsewhere in the country," he said. "The BJP is panicked by its falling graph and therefore has chalked out a plan to garner support for itself by engineering a cynical divide."

He said the decline in the BJP's popularity was also evident from the fact that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had not yet decided from where to contest the assembly election.

He said the Congress was confident that the Election Commission would take note of these activities and take appropriate action.

The EC, he said, had made it clear that the elections must be held within the ambit of law and order.

He said the Congress was likely to announce on Thursday the first list of candidates for the Gujarat elections.

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