Maya passes buck to Centre,Cong says quit if you cant cope

Even as Chief Minister Mayawati on Friday asked the Centre to ensure compliance with the Allahabad High Court verdict on the Ayodhya title suits,the Congress said if Mayawati could not maintain law and order in the wake of the verdict,it should resign and clear the way for the Centre to take direct responsibility of the state.

Mayawati pointed out that about 67 acres of land around the disputed site had been acquired by the Centre in 1993 and it was responsible for its management,administration and protection. Any activity there which could disturb law and order in the state and the country would be the responsibility of the Centre,she added. On Thursday,within an hour of the verdict,Mayawati had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to ensure that the Centre took immediate steps to implement the courts verdict.

However,reacting to Mayawatis statement,AICC secretary Parvez Hashmi said law and order was the responsibility of the state government. The Centre could intervene only when there was a failure of the state government. The Chief Minister was trying to evade her responsibility by making such statements,he added.

He expressed happiness with the way the country had reacted to the verdict. It is a reflection of harmony and unity amongst us, Hashmi told mediapersons at the state Congress headquarters. UPCC state president Rita Bahuguna Joshi and CLP Leader Pramod Tiwari were also present.

Tiwari objected to Samjawadi Party Mulayam Singh Yadavs comments on the verdict,and said that no one should make provocative utterances.