Advani, Joshi will not be part of debate on Babri report: BJP

Senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi will not participate in the discussion on the Liberhan Commission findings in Lok Sabha on Tuesday following a decision by the party against fielding those indicted in the report.

Senior BJP leaders LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi will not participate in the discussion on the Liberhan Commission findings in Lok Sabha on Tuesday following a decision by the party against fielding those indicted in the report.

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"We have taken a conscious decision that leaders whose names appear in the accused list will not speak during the discussions," a senior party leader said on Monday.

While BJP President Rajnath Singh will initiate the debate on behalf of the party, its Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj will be the second speaker.

"When there are so many MPs, then why should those whose name appears in the list of accused defend themselves," the leader added.

Party sources said that Advani, Joshi and Lalji Tandon, whose names appear in the list of accused in the report tabled in Parliament last week, can intervene at a personal level when their names are taken in the House.

Incidentally, Joshi will be Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday and not present during the discussion.