New Delhi, June 07: Congress today demanded the immediate resignation of all union ministers, including deputy prime minister L K Advani, chargesheeted in the Babri Masjid saying that it was widely known that they were the main "conspirators" in the Babri Masjid demolition case. "The statement of these karsewaks did not come up suddenly. Their (ministers) names came up ever since the Babri Masjid was demolished on December 6, 1992. It is known that they are conspirators with VHP and Bajrang Dal in the Babri case,” party spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters reacting to a statement by some karsevaks making accusations against the VIPs accused, including Advani.

Demanding a clarification from Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the question of continuation of these ministers in his council, Sharma said that it would be a mockery of democracy if the home minister, prosecuted for an alleged criminal act, should continue in government.
"It would be better if they resign on their own subscribing to moral standards in public life, or the Prime Minister should call for their resignation to uphold the prestige of the government," he said adding they demonstrated "hypocrisy and dishonesty" by denying their involvement in the demolition.

The karsewaks' claim was once again an "incontrovertible confirmation that these leaders had not only conspired along with VHP and Bajarang Dal but also instigated the mob at Ayodhya which has been specified in the FIR filed soon after the demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya, he said.
Five accused today alleged that they had pulled down the disputed structure at Ayodhya at the instigation of L K Advani and other senior BJP leaders, a charge denied by the lawyer of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Bureau Report