To help SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav contain the fallout of their new “friendship”, former BJP leader Kalyan Singh today said he had taken the “moral responsibility for the incident of December 6, 1992 in Ayodhya” — the demolition of the Babri Masjid — and resigned as chief minister the same day.

Sending out a clear signal to Muslims, Kalyan Singh, in a statement, said those who want the BJP eliminated should welcome his “friendship” with Mulayam Singh. Those opposing this “friendship”, he said, would only be helping the BJP. He said the the main objective of his “friendship” with the SP leader was to “destroy the BJP and prevent it from coming to power at the Centre”.

Under fire from Muslims for courting Kalyan Singh, Mulayam Singh has been engaged in a damage-control exercise, meeting and assuring Muslim leaders that there is no alliance and that their “friendship” will bring about “the downfall of the BJP”.

SP general secretary Amar Singh even visited Deoband, an important seat of Islamic learning, to reassure the Muslims. Last night, Mulayam Singh and Amar Singh met Kalyan Singh at his Lucknow residence. Kalyan Singh declined to reveal details, saying they discussed electoral strategy. He denied reports that Amar Singh had asked him to apologise for the demolition of the Babri Masjid.

He said everyone had a right to take pride in his or her faith. Muslims had a right to take pride in their faith and Hindus had a right to take pride in Hindutva, he said.