Patna/New Delhi, April 18
In controversial remarks, RJD chief Lalu Yadav has said Congress too was responsible for the demolition of the Babri Masjid as it did not save it, prompting quick rebuttal by the Congress today which said the comments were unfortunate.

"Bol rahe Babri Masjid girane wale..aur Congress party bhi hai girane wala, bachaya nahin"(about Babri Masjid demolition, Congress party is also responsible for it, it did not save it), Yadav said during a election rally in Manigachi in Bihar's Darbhanga district in an obvious reference to the Congress government then ruling at the Centre.

Reacting to Yadav's comments, Union minister Vayalar Ravi said, "I don't know how he can make such a statement. But it is unfortunate and not expected from Yadav. Lalu and all the people must understand that they have good relations with the government."

It is the BJP-Shiv Sena alongwith hindutva elements that demolished the mosque in 1992. Yadav knows it better that it was the BJP and its leader LK Advani who are responsible for it. Advani, he said, was present in Ayodhya and witnessed the demolition.

Lalu, who had recently been chastised by the Election Commission for his 'crush-under-the-roller' remark against BJP candidate Varun Gandhi, described BJP as 'Bharat jalao party'. "The BJP is Bharat jalao party. It wants to see that India is up in flames," he said. — PTI