Advani must quit politics: Congress

“It is for the court to decide whether or not a criminal offence can be made out (against Advani). But I am of the firm opinion that Advaniji should retire from politics after the statement by his ex-personal security officer,” said Congress leader Rashid Alvi while commenting on today’s development.

“India is a secular country and in Indian politics,there is no room for any such person,” he said referring to Advani.

Alvi said a political leader,who had been “instrumental” in demolition of a religious place of a community “through his provocative speeches”,was “not fit to be in Indian politics”.

Congress spokesman Manish Tewari said “it is in the interest of justice,and especially in the interest of Indian secularism,which needs to be protected by bringing culprits to book.”

Citing public perception,he said “Advani,the leadership of RSS and the leadership of Bajrang Dal and all affiliated organisations stand guilty and convicted in the eyes of the public opinion because all that which happened between 1985 to 1992 was played out in full public view.”

CPI leader D Raja said the testimony was a “vindication” of what his party had been saying all along about involvement of Advani and other BJP leaders. Zafaryab Jilani of All India Muslim Personal Law Board said the testimony would vindicate “our stand that Advani was actually fully guilty”.

When asked to comment,BJP spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy said,”This is the ninth witness and another 40 are remaining. There is a legal process. Therefore based on the present legal proceedings BJP would not like to comment.”

Tewari said it was high time that a day-to-day trial was held so that those responsible could be prosecuted.

Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said this was the first official direct eye-witness testimony against Advani and other sangh parivar leaders.

Jilani said in Lucknow that her testimony carries weight as she was undisputedly present at the site and in close proximity to Advani and other leaders when the demolition took place.

Being an impartial and independent witness,her testimony will help proving the guilt of Advani and leaders in the conspiracy to demolish the Babri Masjid,he said.