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Sants failed to keep their
word, says Rao

"At the end of October 92 itself, they (sants) unilaterally conducted the meeting of the Dharma Sansad and unilaterally again fixed the kar seva for December 6, 1992," Rao told the Liberhan Commission, probing the sequence of events leading to the demolition of the disputed structure at Ayodhya.

As a result of the unilateral decision taken by the Dharma Sansad, negotiations broke down, the former prime minister said.

"When the two sides came for the meeting on November 8, 1992, the other side (Muslim leaders) said since the sants have unilaterally fixed the date for kar seva, there is no point in continuing negotiations," Rao said.

Earlier, accompanied by his lawyers R K Anand and I U Khan, Rao appeared before the commission at 0005 hours IST. He took an oath in Hindi in the name of God before the recording of his statement.

Rao's deposition assumes significance in the wake of allegations that he as prime minister failed to protect the structure.

Rao found himself in a curious situation as neither the counsel on whose application he was summoned nor the commission wanted to examine him.

Rao was summoned following the application of former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh's counsel K B Saxena. He, however, refused to examine Rao while the commission said it had no clarifications to seek from the former prime minister.

Justice Liberhan clarified that Rao was summoned and given many dates on the application of Saxena. At this moment the commission had not formed any opinion and did not want any clarification or statement from Rao regarding the demolition of the disputed structure on December 6, 1992. So, it would not examine him as the commission's witness, he said.

However, the lawyers refused Justice Liberhan's offer to examine Rao as defence witness, stating that they were under the impression that he was summoned by the commission.

They said that since Rao had appeared before the commission they would like clarifications from him regarding his role in the demolition. The commission granted the request.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Personal Law Board filed two applications Monday urging the commission to issue notices to Rao under 8B as being the prime minister at the time of the demolition he had played a crucial role in the happenings.

However, Justice Liberhan said he saw no point in issuing notices to Rao under 8B and the applications would be decided at an appropriate date.

The commission has issued notices under 8B to 49 persons, including Union Ministers L K Advani, Uma Bharti and M M Joshi to explain their positions.

Rao appeared before the commission almost two hours late.

Agencies

EARLIER REPORT
Rao appears before Liberhan: PTI

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