'Rao was not aware of Babri demolition plan'

Former Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao had no knowledge of the plan to demolish Babri Masjid and he believed in the assurance given by top Bharatiya Janata Party leaders concerning the march to Ayodhya in 1992 by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and security at the disputed site, Rao's former media adviser PVRK Prasad said on Sunday.

Prasad, then additional secretary at the Centre, was speaking during a book release function on Rao's biography, which was compiled by him. Prasad said "Rao believed in the promises made by senior BJP leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani on the march which was undertaken by the Sangh parivar to Ayodhya". Rao also believed the promise made by the then UP Chief Minister Kalyan Singh on the law and order situation as well as the protection of Babri Masjid, the former IAS officer said.

"Unfortunately, Rao was blamed for the entire issue and he as criticised by all groups," Prasad said, adding, the former prime minister acted as per the constitutional provision, that law and order is a state subject and the Centre does not interfere in it. "Though some senior Congress leaders advised him to impose President's rule in UP, Rao did not act against the provisions of Constitution,"

he said. "At that time, Governor did not send any report on the deterioration of law and order. How could Rao take such a measure to impose President's rule," Rao's former adviser said. Prasad also claimed that Vajpayee and Advani had no knowledge of the conspiracy behind the demolition of the centuries old mosque.     

Speaking on other issues Prasad said, "Though Rao initiated economic reforms in the country, the credit did not go to him".
The current Prime Minister Manmohan Singh worked out the economic reforms but Rao (then Prime Minister) stood behind
him for its implementation, he said.
    
Prasad also expressed unhappiness over the attitude of Congress leaders towards recognising the achievements of Rao. "Even AP Government failed to construct a memorial in his name in Hyderabad. Though late Chief Minister Rajasekhara
Reddy promised to construct a memorial in Rao's name, it was not fulfilled," the ex-IAS officer said.
     
He also claimed that the former Prime Minister suffered financially after being relieved from all court cases pending against him and was unable to pay the advocates fees. "Rao asked me, can you to dispose off my house to pay the legal charges," Prasad said.