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Demolition would not have taken place if we were there: Rahul

Says Congress' alliance with BSP in Uttar Pradesh in 1996 was a "sell out"

Muzaffarnagar (U.P.): In an attack against the Congress establishment during late Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao's tenure, Rahul Gandhi on Monday said that the Babri Masjid would not have been demolished had the Gandhi family been active in politics at that time. He also dubbed the Congress' alliance with BSP in Uttar Pradesh in 1996 as a "sell out."

"Had the Gandhi family been there in politics (at that time), Babri Masjid demolition would not have taken place," Mr. Gandhi told reporters on the second day of his election campaign in Uttar Pradesh.

"My father said to my mother that he would stand in front of Babri Masjid if it will do any good. They would have to kill him first," he said. On the reasons for Congress' decline in U.P., Mr. Gandhi said the blame should be put on the party's alliance with BSP.

"The 1996 alliance in Uttar Pradesh destroyed the party in the State. This alliance was not an alliance but a virtual sell-out of the party,'' he said.

Stating facts

The Amethi MP, however, added that he was not blaming anyone but just stating the facts.

Noting that the rise of parties like the Samajwadi Party and the BSP and caste politics were not a major factor in Congress' decline in U.P., he said organisational downfall was also responsible.

On whether the Congress would enter into an alliance in U.P., he said the party was in talks on this issue but added, "there will be no sell-out anymore."

The thrust is now on building the party in U.P.

On caste politics, he said, "we will create young leaders from everywhere and all castes." — PTI

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