Ayodhya verdict: Congress says it is in favour of Ram temple construction

NEW DELHI: The Congress Working Committee (CWC) has said it “respects” ” the Supreme Court decision on the Ayodhya case and appealed to the parties involved in the legal dispute and to all the communities to maintain peace and abide by the spirit of the Constitution and maintain peace.

The unanimous CWC resolution, passed at a meeting presided over by Sonia Gandhi soon after the SC verdict, stated; “The Indian National Congress respects the verdict of the Supreme Court in the Ayodhya case. We appeal to all the parties concerned and to all communities to abide by the secular values and spirit of fraternity enshrined in our Constitution and to maintain peace and harmony”. It further said, “It is the responsibility of each one of us to reaffirm our tradition of mutual respect and unity among all that has defined our society through the ages”.

Sources said the 45-minute CWC meeting, that started with the members collectively tracking the updates from the apex court and then concluded with a brief discussion on the verdict and framing of brief the CWC resolution, displayed the spirit of unanimity with no internal voices of discord or political debate -- with all aware of the sensitivities and political stakes involved and the need to move forward.

In the run up to the SC hearing, the Congress leadership has been constantly maintaining that all must abide by the final verdict of the apex court on the vested Ayodhya dispute. It is also leant that the Congress will “postpone” for a while the party’s ongoing agitations on economic issue in view of the imposition of Section 144 in various parts of the country in connection with the SC verdict.

Responding to questions on the lawyers of the IMPLB indicating the possibility of moving a review petition, AICC spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said while, the law of the land provides various avenues for the litigants , “as far as the Congress Party is concerned, we respect the SC order”.

On questions on whether BJP and the government will take political advantage of the order, Surjewala said, “Lord Ram is the symbol of sacrifice, love and mercy and, the Supreme Court, by giving its verdict on the Ram temple, has slammed the door on all those who have been politically exploiting the Ayodhya issue due to their greed for power”