Even as the government on Thursday decided to withdraw the “objectionable” paragraphs of the affidavit filed in the Supreme Court questioning the existence of Lord Rama or other characters in the epic Ramayana in connection with Setusamudram project controversy, the BJP demanded unconditional apology from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi for “hurting” sentiments of crores of Hindus.
Targeting Congress chief in particular for her role in the government, senior BJP leader LK Advani said, though Singh is the constitutional head of the government, it’s Gandhi, who actually calls the shots as an extra constitutional authority.
“Since they have come to power, the Congress has evolved a tactic to keep its chief at bay from any wrong decision of the government. But we will not allow them to succeed in their design, as people can’t be duped and deceived all the time,” he said.
Apart from apology from the two leaders, Advani also demanded that the government constitute an enquiry to find out the person responsible for the “blunder” and “ministerial responsibility” should be fixed.
Claiming that the government’s affidavit in the apex court is contemptuous to crores of Hindus, he said,
“The government should forthwith withdraw the affidavit,” adding that it would not be sufficient to file a supplementary document deleting the objectionable paragraphs.
The BJP leader said the affidavit issue would be part of its election campaign.
“Surely, it will be mentioned,” he said when asked whether his party would flag the matter in its election campaign. Advani was of the view that mid-term polls would be held sometime next year.
The BJP leader, who is due to meet AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa next week, claimed she too supported his party’s stand on the issue. He said, “I spoke to her on phone today. She agreed that it was highly objectionable.”Earlier in the day, after a quick intervention by Congress chief, law minister HR Bhardwaj hurriedly convened a press conference and announced that the averments in the objectionable paragraphs would be withdrawn.
“We are filing a supplementary affidavit tomorrow in the Supreme Court,” he said.
Asked what clarification did the government planned to make, the minister said, “This is in regard to our averment in the affidavit that there is no evidence that these characters of our scriptures did exist.”
Asked whether government intended to fix responsibility for the mistake in the affidavit, Bhardwaj said he was not authorised to take action.