Tuesday, January 18 2005 15:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Indore: The Banerjee panel report on Godhra incident, made public yesterday (Jan 17, 2005) was an attempt by the Railway Minister Laloo Prasad to lure Muslim votes in the coming Bihar Assembly polls, VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) alleged today (Jan 18, 2005).

"The high power Banerjee panel report describing the Godhra incident as a 'mere accident' despite clear forensic reports blaming the presence of inflammable material in the ill-fated coach, is an attempt by Laloo to appease Muslim votes in the coming Assembly polls in Bihar," Singh told reporters on the sidelines of VHP's Hindu Swabhimaan Jagran Mahayagna.

Strongly condemning the submission of report before the polls, the VHP leader said that forensic report has clearly established that the coach was torched by miscreants after throwing petrol inside it.

He said in a planned manner that the train was stopped by miscreants numbering about 1000 in a locality dominated by those who have links with terrorists and after pelting stones at the train they set the coach ablaze by sprinkling petrol. Claiming that he had a copy of the report, Singhal said the point that fire brigade was not informed on time was also wrong as the fire brigade had reached the spot soon after the incident but miscreants pelted stones at it and the driver was warned of dire consequences.

He appealed to Hindus not to vote for Laloo in view of his attempts to lure Muslim votes by defaming Hindutva forces, but added, "VHP leaders will not campaign in Bihar on the issue as it was not their job."

"BJP leaders including Uma Bharti will take care of it," he added.