Lok Sabha debate on Ayodhya put off

A special discussion on Ayodhya in the Lok Sabha was postponed on Wednesday by a day.

"Leaders of all political parties and groups requested me that the short duration discussion on Ayodhya issue be taken up tomorrow after consideration of the Motion of Thanks [to the President for his address to the joint session of Parliament] was over. I have acceded to their request," Speaker Manohar Joshi said.

The speaker made the announcement after Bharatiya Janata Party members like Vinay Katiyar and Kirit Somaiya insisted that the discussion should be held as scheduled as per schedule. They also charged the opposition with 'running away from discussion'.

Opposition members, including Ramjilal Suman [Samajwadi Party], Priyaranjan Dasmunsi [Congress] and Rupchand Pal [Communist Party of India-Marxist], asked why should the BJP members oppose postponement of the discussion if their leaders and the government were also party to the decision.