Solution in sight: Shankaracharya

Singh and Fernandes said their meeting with the Shankaracharya was to fulfil an earlier commitment to participate at a function in the deemed university being run by the Kanchi Mutt.

Both ministers and the Shankaracharya claimed the Ayodhya issue did not figure at all at the meeting.

Singh said, 8216;8216;I am too small a man to discuss about such big subjects. I have not brought any message from the Centre nor am I taking anything back to the Centre.8217;8217;

He said he would pray for a political solution which was peaceful, which met the expectations of everyone and which did not create any difficulty for society. 8216;8216;What could be better than that, this is the most constructive thing that can happen,8217;8217; he said.

Defence Minister George Fernandes, on his part, said he was taking 8216;8216;a message of happiness8217;8217; from the Shankaracharya. He said if any initiative from the Shankaracharya came, it was 8216;8216;most welcome.8217;8217; 8216;8216;The one coming from the Swamji is most welcome,8217;8217; he said, maintaining there was 8216;8216;no problem in the NDA on the Ayodhya issue.8217;8217; But in New Delhi, Shankaracharya of Prayag, Madhavanand Sarasawti, said the Kanchi Shankaracharya should have discussed his proposals with other Hindu religious leaders before forwaring them to the Board.