While VHP leaders Ashok Singhal and Praveen Togadia attacked the Mulayam Singh Yadav government accusing it of "repression" on the "Ram Bhakts" and foiling their Friday’s "Sankalp Sabha" (assembly for taking pledge), Singhal warned Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to mend his "secular" ways.
Describing secularism as the "biggest enemy" of the nation, Singhal said, "Atalji, if you don’t come to us, we will abandon you," in an apparent reference to the NDA agenda that commits itself to secular governance.
The leaders were addressing the VHP cadres that had gathered in the temple town for the massive congregation it had planned yesterday and were arrested.
Togadia, who was earlier in the day detained in Lucknow on apprehension of breach of peace in Ayodhya, was later allowed to go to the temple town reportedly on an undertaking from the VHP that he would not indulge in any action that would vitiate atmosphere there.