Senior Congress leader and Union minister Beni Prasad Verma on Wednesday alleged “match-fixing” over the Samajwadi Party government’s ban on the VHP’s yatra from Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.
Mr Verma’s remarks came at a time when the Congress is keen to bring all parties on board for the passage of the food security bill and thereby avoid criticising the SP, backing the UPA from outside since 2004. “Food security bill is hanging. I am not speaking against Mulayam Singh Yadav. There is match-fixing. This is a case of friendly fight,” a smiling Mr Verma told mediapersons when asked about the controversy over the ban.
Congress spokesperson Meem Afzal, however, steered clear of questions about Mr Verma’s charge suggesting there is match-fixing between the SP and BJP on the issue.
“I cannot say that there was match-fixing. How can I say that. I cannot comment on what Verma said or not. I have not heard of that,” he said.
However, the SP got the support for its decision to ban the “yatra” from minority affairs minister K. Rahman Khan, who said the UP government has taken a “correct decision”.
“The UP government has taken a correct decision because the only intention of this “yatra” is to disturb peace, when the government has to maintain law and order. It is a good decision on the part of UP government. It depends upon the government of UP what decision they will take based upon the law and order issue. They are better one to know the situation. I do not believe that banning this yatra would bring the issue to centrestage,” Mr Khan said.
Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh accused the BJP of trying to “communalise and polarise” politics to win elections.