With the NDA closing ranks over Ayodhya, the Congress on Wednesday taunted the Opposition alliance, saying the dividing line between the NDA and the BJP had now disappeared.NDA members who met in New Delhi on Monday, adopted a resolution stating that they preferred a negotiated settlement to the dispute, considering the inherent delays in the judicial process. The resolution marked a major shift in the NDA’s position, which had so far advocated a resolution either through dialogue or a court verdict. The meeting came in the wake of a remark by BJP president L.K. Advani on the construction of the Ram temple.Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan took a dig at NDA convenor George Fernandes, saying: ‘‘We look forward to seeing him as a BJP office-bearer.’’ Fernandes was targetted owing to his proximity to BJP leaders, in contrast with his Janata Dal(U) colleagues Nitish Kumar and Sharad Yadav.Natarajan said it was a matter of concern for the Congress that the political space left for the Opposition had ceased to exist. The BJP and NDA were unable to prove an effective Opposition and were failing to raise issues concerning the common man.She ruled out any possibility of Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party leader Ram Vilas Paswan joining hands with the BJP and Janata Dal(U) in coming assembly polls in Bihar.Replying to a question, she said: ‘‘There is absolutely no question of such an eventuality. Even if such a situation arises, I am sure the UPA will discuss it and deal with the matter.’’ Nitish Kumar’s presence at a recent iftar hosted by Ram Vilas Paswan had given rise to speculation about a joining of forces to defeat Laloo Prasad Yadav’s RJD in Bihar.Natarajan attempted to downplay the Left’s criticism of a reduced winter session of Parliament, saying, ‘‘The decision regarding the number of days for the Parliament session is not taken by the Congress, but by the UPA government.’’ She said the issue could be discussed at the UPA-Left coordination committee meeting.The Congress spokesperson described PM Mammohan Singh’s announcements about Jammu and Kashmir as a new beginning. Asked if troop reduction translated into a lowering of guard, Natarajan said, ‘‘Every step has been taken after careful consideration.’’
