New Delhi: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on February 16 discussed the Ayodhya issue with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, whose party TDP (Telugu Desam Party) extends crucial outside support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government, in the backdrop of the Centre's moving the Supreme Court on the subject.

"All these things we discussed. At the same time, we are depending on Supreme Court judgement," Naidu, who specially came to Delhi at the invitation of Vajpayee, told reporters after the two-hour meeting at the Prime Minister's residence, a day ahead of the start of the budget session of Parliament.

Skirting a direct answer on government's decision to move the apex Court seeking vacation of its stay on religious activities in the undisputed land in Ayodhya, Naidu said he explained the temple issue at a meeting of TDP Parliamentary Party meeting held after his discussions with Vajpayee.

"It is in the Supreme Court which will give its judgment on the basis of merit," he said.

Naidu said since political parties and religious leaders have failed to get consensus on the issue, only the Supreme Court has to decide. "Whatever the judgement, all political parties have to abide by it," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, NDA convener and Defence Minister George Fernandes, Finance Minister Jaswant Singh and BJP President M Venkaiah Naidu were also present at the luncheon meeting Vajpayee had with Naidu.

PTI