New Delhi: Congress today (April 15, 2004) said it would reopen trial in Ayodhya case against all those involved in the Babri Masjid demolition case, including Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani, if it comes to power.

"If voted to power, Congress will reopen trial in Ayodhya case and prosecute all those involved in it including Advani," party spokesman Kapil Sibal told reporters.

Elections 2004-The Drama unfolds...

Dismissing Advani's claim that during his Bharat Uday Yatra he saw "pro-incumbency" factor in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), he said there was no such factor for the coalition.

"In no State where they were in power during the past five years this factor exists. Even in Ayodhya (UP) there were no takers for Advani," he said, adding that "he only wants to become the incumbent Prime Minister as soon as possible".

He said that Advani's popularity before he embarked on his Bharat Uday Yatra 45 days ago was two per cent and remain the same after the conclusion of his "so-called successful and satisfying yatra".