RJD, SP, Congress slam VHP yatra

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Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Vadra during a programme

With BJP lending its support to VHP’s plans to hold a religious yatra in Ayodhya from Sunday, RJD, SP and Congress members on Saturday joined hands in the LS to attack the saffron party and other Sangh Parivar outfits and suggested that the principal Opposition party should be de-recognised.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Prabhunath Singh (RJD) asked the Centre to intervene saying VHP’s plans “supported by BJP” were not good for communal harmony in the country. He said political parties supporting the yatra should be de-recognised. This led to a heated exchange between members of BJP and RJD. SP members supported their RJD counterparts.
Dara Singh Cahuhan (BSP) said the yatra was a case of “shadow boxing” between BJP and SP, which is ruling in Uttar Pradesh.
Shailendra Kumar (SP) said “some groups and political parties” were trying to divide the country on lines of religion. “There should be a ban on using Lord Rama’s name for political gains... The Government of India should ensure a ban on such things,” he said, as BJP members protested.
Jagdambika Pal (Congress) said it is not a religious yatra but a political one.
Later in the day, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said, “There is no tension due to yatra but due to all kinds of statements being made. If people avoid making comments, yatra will be finished peacefully.”
She dismissed criticism from Congress and other parties that the VHP’s decision is a political exercise to benefit BJP ahead of elections as the annual yatra had already taken place.