PTI

Lucknow, Feb 2: Under attack for joining hands with Kalyan Singh, SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday did a U-turn saying he had "never" given the former BJP leader a clean chit in the Babri mosque demolition and that his party had no "alliance" but only "friendship" with him.

While asserting that Kalyan was "morally responsible" for the 1992 Babri mosque demolition, Yadav justified joining hands with him saying the move would "weaken communal forces like BJP".

"I never said that he (Kalyan) is not responsible for Babri mosque demolition. As the chief minister (in 1992) he was morally responsible for demolition of mosque.... He should have saved the mosque," Yadav, who is virtually facing a revolt over the move with Muslim leaders like Azam Khan openly coming out against it, told reporters.

"I have held him (Kalyan) morally responsible for the demolition. I cannot abuse him like others...I talk of morality only...," he said.

Yadav had on January 25, just days after Kalyan quit BJP and his son Rajbir joined the Samajwadi Party, defended the former chief minister in the Babri mosque demolition, claiming that he "did not" do it and that Kalyan could not be called an "extremist now".

"He (Kalyan) did not do that. Mosque was demolished by Shiv Sena and RSS," Yadav said in an interview to a TV channel.

Yadav today, however, asserted that Samajwadi Party had "no alliance" with Kalyan and that "it is only friendship and if Kalyan contested election, he will file his nominations as an independent candidate from Etah seat"

Dismissing claims that the move has alienated Muslims, Yadav said that "unlike others who termed the mosque in Ayodhya as a structure" he never said so.

"Muslims know me well. They are very much with the SP and I always regret demolition of the Babri mosque," he said.

Yadav said, "I will support those who will weaken communal forces like BJP, which is doing divisive politics. Both Lal Krishna Advani and Narendra Modi are aspiring for the post of Prime Minister and SP will do everything possible to prevent them from realizing their dream."

The SP leader asserted that development and not "mandir-masjid" will be the poll issue in the upcoming general elections.

"Mandir (temple) and masjid (mosque) are not going to be poll plank in the coming elections. Those who work for the people will win and only development will be the issue in the days to come," he said.

Asked about former minister Mohamman Azam Khan's statement, Yadav said that "he is a veteran party man and I would talk to him.

"Whatever confusion is there, it is due to media reports. After my press conference today things will be set right and I hope Khan will remain in the party," Yadav said.

On whether the party had sent a "negative message" to Muslim community with the recent bonhomie with Kalyan, Yadav said, "This message is going from you people (media) only."

Attacking the ruling BSP in Uttar Pradesh, Yadav alleged that it was "recruiting criminals" and giving them tickets.

Yadav claimed none of the 52 candidates declared by his party for the Lok Sabha polls had a criminal background.