Justifying the Uttar Pradesh government's decision to deny permission to VHP's proposed yatra at Ayodhya, Cabinet minister Shivpal Yadav today said the government is committed to maintain peace in the state and will not tolerate communalism.
"We will not tolerate communalism and ensure that peace is maintained in the state. By refusing permission to the yatra, the government has just tried to stop a new tradition being set that could affect communal atmosphere of the state," Yadav told reporters here.
Asked about the meeting of Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav with VHP leader Ashok Singal, the minister said, "in a democracy everyone is free to meet anyone he likes".
"I just want to say that they (VHP) wanted to set a new tradition (by organising Yatra) and were denied permission," Yadav said.
About party leader Azam Khan's displeasure over the meeting, Yadav said, "Azam is not angry...We will talk to him."
Speaking about the SP's demand for special status to UP, Yadav said that it was justified considering size and population of the state.
On poor condition of roads in the state, he said that due to lack of development works during previous BSP regime the situation was worse, but the SP government was taking initiatives to make roads free of potholes.
Meanwhile, former BSP MLA from Ballia Sangram Singh Yadav joined SP.
Yesterday, VHP was refused permission by UP government for yatra from Ayodhya to push for Ram Temple at the disputed site.
