August 3, 2003	Sunday	Jumadi-us-Sani 4, 1424

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NEW DELHI, Aug 2: The main opposition Congress party on Saturday slammed Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for being an “opportunist” by saying a Hindu temple would be built on India’s most sensitive site, claimed by both Hindus and Muslims.

Analysts said Vajpayee, who heads the Hindu nationalist BJP party, seemed to be trying to secure his base ahead of assembly elections this year in five states and national polls due by October 2004.

Congress party spokesman S. Jaipal Reddy called Vajpayee a “powermongering opportunist”.

He noted that Vajpayee had earlier called for a peaceful settlement to the Ayodhya dispute.

“Vajpayee likes to have his cake and eat it too. When he sees his position in the party getting weakened, he comes out with such statements,” Reddy told AFP.

“The prime minister keeps making flip-flops all the time on vital issues ... we don’t know which is true,” Reddy said.

“It is a very calculated statement by a crafty politician trying to perform a balancing act.”

The opposition Samajwadi Party, whose support base is Muslims and low-caste Hindus, warned Vajpayee of repercussions to his remarks.

“Let them construct the temple. It will only lead to violent reactions in the country,” party general-secretary Mar Singh said.

“The PM has no authority to decide on building the temple. It is to be decided by the court,” he said.—AFP