Ayodhya, Oct 16: In a last minute bid to avoid a showdown, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav softened a bit offering a compromise formula to the VHP planning a massive congregation on Friday by allowing regulated `darshan` and prayers of Lord Ram`s idol at the disputed site here. The reaction of VHP to the government`s late night offer was still not known but Union Minister of State for Home Swami Chinmayanand, the Centre`s pointsman with the state and the VHP, told news agencies that the saffron outfit should welcome and consider the offer.

An apparent lowering of temperature came about after Yadav offered in Lucknow to the VHP that its cadres could congregate five km away from the disputed site for their `sankalp sabha` (meeting to take a pledge). He also said there will be no excesses committed on anyone.


VHP media in-charge Sharad Sharma rejected the Chief Minister`s offer and suggested an alternate site for assembly of its cadres near Ramghat halt railway station on the banks of Saryu River.
However, the outfit`s UP in-charge Purushottam Narain Singh told news agencies over telephone that "though belated it is good." He also said that all the arrested `Ram bhakts` should be released and allowed to offer prayers.

Meanwhile, SP general secretary Amar Singh said that the state government did now want any kind of confrontation with the VHP but it would not act under pressure and change its stand regarding tomorrow`s programme in Ayodhya.
The government is committed to adhere to the court orders regarding maintaining staus quo in the disputed site in Ayodhya and allow darshan and puja of Ram Lala at the makeshift temple and no individual or outfit would be allowed to take law in his hands, he told newspersons here.

Singh clarified that till now none of the VHP leaders had sought permission to hold their programme in Ayodhya tomorrow.
The administration has taken all steps necessary to ensure peace and order in the temple town, he added

Bureau Report