Maya supports Centre’s SC move

Mayawati told the media at Lucknow today: ‘‘As far as the Ayodhya issue is concerned, no one should have any objection to the decision of the Government to move the Supreme court.’’ She said that her Government and her party would abide by the court verdict regarding the disputed or undisputed land.

The Biju Janata Dal joined the ranks of other NDA partners who are posturing themselves in a slightly different position than the BJP when it demanded that the co-ordination committee of the coalition go in to the Government decision and see if this is in conformity with the NDA agenda. BJD secretary-general and spokesman Damodar Rout said at Bhubaneswar, ‘‘I believe Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is now in Delhi, would discuss the issue with NDA convenor George Fernandes and other leaders of the coalition.’’

Law Minister Arun Jaitley, however, sought to allay the apprehensions of the allies. He said, ‘‘The NDA agenda clearly says the Ayodhya dispute can be settled through legal process or negotiations. The Government decision is perfectly in consonance with the NDA agenda. The Government has requested the court to decide.’’

Sources in the BJP disclosed that the party has sent copies of the application filed by the Government in the Supreme Court to the presidents of the parties sharing power at the Centre or supporting it from outside.

The move is aimed at dispelling their misgivings. BJP general secretary Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, looking unfazed by the criticism of the Telugu Desam and the Samata Party, accused political parties of attempting to create a ‘‘fear psychosis’’ among the minorities by seeking to make an issue out of the Centre’s move.

He said, ‘‘The government intention is to settle the issue as expeditiously as possible.’’

Totally unimpressed, the Congress intensified its attack on the Government. Party spokesman S Jaipal Reddy said, ‘‘The latest initiative by the BJP-led government is a part of their cynical and exploitative process.’’

In the meanwhile, All India Muslim Personal Law Board has convened a crucial meeting here for tomorrow to discuss the issue. This was disclosed by Board chairman Maulana Rabey Hasni Nadvi at Lucknow.