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Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi
The allegation by former Faizabad superintendent of police office B B Rai against Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that the latter was involved in the conspiracy, which led to the demolition of the Babri Masjid, blew up in the Rajya Sabha on Friday with senior Congress member Arjun Singh asking the government to clarify the matter.
Raising the issue during zero hour, Singh pointed out that it was a serious affair and, therefore, the government must issue a clarification.
Singh's contention infuriated the Bharatiya Janata Party members, especially senior party leader Sanghapriya Gautam, who loudly rebutted the charge.
Communist Party of India-Marxist members Sarla Maheshwari and Dipankar Bhattacharya loudly supported Singh's contention and it triggered off acrimonious exchanges between the two sections of the House.
Responding on behalf of the prime minister, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan told the House that Rai was merely being vindictive against the prime minister because he had twice been deprived of party ticket, which he had sought.
Rai had said that others present during the alleged meeting in Kalyan Singh's residence included BJP leaders Lal Kishenchand Advani and Dr Murli Manohar Joshi.
Joshi, who was present in the house, denied the allegation and pointed out that he was not present there.
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