In a development that has the potential to cause strain in the newly formed Fourth Front, RJD chief Lalu Prasad has made known his discomfiture with former BJP leader Kalyan Singh?s association with ally Samajwadi Party, branding him a ?convict? in the Babri Masjid demolition case. The RJD chief also questioned the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister?s role as a star campaigner for the SP.
Asked to respond to Kalyan Singh?s appeal to Muslims to ?bury? the BJP, Yadav said, ?He (Kalyan) is a convict in the demolition of the Babri Masjid…. Is he a member of the SP?… He is not a member of the SP.?
Kalyan had made the appeal on Friday at an election rally, saying he had already ?dug a grave? for the BJP and Muslims should ?put soil to fill it?.
Kalyan, who was chief minister of UP when the Babri Masjid was demolished in Ayodhya on December 6, 1992, is an accused in the case.
Ahead of Lok Sabha polls, Singh quit the BJP to join hands with his erstwhile bete noire Mulayam Singh Yadav. Seeking to distance himself from the demolition, Singh claimed that he was ?kept in the dark? by the BJP. ?I was told that nothing will happen (demolition of mosque)… there was a conspiracy by the BJP behind it.?
On Yadav?s attack, Kalyan Singh responded by saying ?he (Lalu) is referring to the past, he should speak about the present. Muslims have accepted me and I am comfortable with them, this is the fact today?.
?PTI
