New Delhi: The Centre's moving the Supreme Court on the Ayodhya issue on February 6 came under attack from Opposition parties, which accused it of capitulating to Sangh Parivar pressure ahead of Assembly polls even as the government asserted the action was in keeping with NDA (National Democratic Alliance) agenda of finding an expeditious solution to the vexed tangle.

The Congress questioned the need for government's filing the petition seeking lifting of the ban on religious activity on the undisputed land in Ayodhya saying there has been no change in the ground situation there since Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP)-sponsored "Shiladan" programme last year.

Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters that the 1994 Supreme Court judgement had made it clear that the disputed and undisputed portions of the land were "inextricably intertwined" and the fate of each depended on the other.

He said the entire exercise by the government and the Sangh Parivar was aimed at reaping benefits keeping an eye on this month-end's Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and four North Eastern states.

The CPI (Communist Party of India) accused the Vajpayee government of trying to "scuttle" the judicial process in Ayodhya case and demanded status quo be maintained until the final court order.

It said the Sangh Parivar and Vajpayee government were raking up the Ayodhya dispute and "rousing communal passions" "yielding" to VHP's demand at a time when Assembly elections in four states are round the corner.

Muslim organisations criticised the Centre's decision to approach the Supreme Court and described it as a "panic reaction" to the "pressure" by Sangh Parivar and VHP.

PTI