Mulayam sends Ayodhya SOS, PM says trust VHP

In Lucknow, Mulayam Singh Yadav said since a major portion of the acquired land at Ayodhya was under the control of the Union Government, the Centre was equally responsible for protecting it.

‘‘I appeal to Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and Minister of State for Home Affairs Swami Chinmayanand to help me resolve the crisis arising out of a VHP call for a meeting in Ayodhya on October 17,’’ he told reporters while calling Chinmayanand’s role as “shameful”.

He said the Prime Minister should use his good offices to get the VHP to drop the meet. He, however, said his government was determined to thwart any move by VHP to create communal tension in the state. ‘‘The high court has asked the state to maintain status quo at the disputed site in Ayodhya. Specific directions have been issued to the district administration to implement the court order in letter and spirit.’’

He blamed Swami Chinmayanand for ‘‘leading’’’ the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) campaign.

‘‘This act of the minister is a blatant violation of the oath taken by him,’’ Yadav said, adding that he would lodge a complaint against the minister with the Prime Minister.

‘‘It is shameful that a Union minister is in the forefront of preparing the strategy for the VHP programme,’’ Yadav said.

In Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Jagdambika Pal said the VHP should have withdrawn the Ayodhya march following the high court’s directives.

The VHP gathering, he said, was a case of contempt of court.

The BJP wanted to draw political mileage by raising the Ayodhya issue during the Assembly polls.

‘‘They want to play the communal card,’’ he said.