UP govt shouldn`t interfere in VHP yatra issue: Goa CM

Manohar Parrikar said the Uttar Pradesh government should not interfere with the VHP`s yatra from Ayodhya unless there was an issue of law and order.

Bangalore: Goa Chief Minister and BJP leader Manohar Parrikar on Sunday said the Uttar Pradesh Government should not interfere with the VHP`s yatra from Ayodhya unless there was an issue of law and order. "The state government should not come into the picture unless there is a law and order issue," he told reporters here. "I don`t think there is any law and order issue and thereby going (taking out yatra) to Ayodhya doesn`t make any difference. At most you could have tightened the security in Ayodhya," Parrikar said.

He said there should be freedom for the all the faiths in religious matters. On RJD accusing VHP and BJP of match-fixing over the issue, Parrikar curtly replied, "They probably have the experience of match-fixing." He evaded a direct answer to a question about BJP President Rajnath Singh`s comments on the construction of Ram Temple at Ayodhya, saying Singh was his leader and his words were final. Asked whether the regional parties will decide Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi`s selection as Prime Ministerial candidate, Parrikar said when he sees victory lying ahead, he is least bothered who is around. "I go for that goalpost. When I cross that I will come back to you (media) and the regional parties," he added. On Goa mining issue, the chief minister said the government has completed the exercise of verification and some lessees may qualify for mining again. "There is no problem with them as they have proper demarcations and properly followed lease procedures. They can operate subject to the Supreme Court decision and environment clearance," he added. PTI