In the Lok Sabha, Mamata Banerjee asked for a categorical assurance from Union Home Minister L K Advani that the Government wasn't doing anything illegal on the issue, the AIADMK went a step further, demanding a white paper.

The AIADMK, which had staged walkouts for two successive days when its bid to discuss the "deteriorating" law and order in Tamil Nadu was disallowed, used the temple issue to good effect.

Attacking the Sangh Parivar for its resolve to construct a Ram temple at Ayodhya, AIADMK member R Margabandhu demanded in the Rajya Sabha a white paper to clarify the position in the wake of statements by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad that "no power on earth can stop it from building a Ram temple at Ayodhya."

"I am astonished to see that VHP leaders are saying thatthose who are opposing the temple are desperate. Are such statements, day in and day out, warranted?" he said.

He demanded that Prime Minister Vajpayee should "pull up" the VHP for its statements and direct it not to say anything till the court gives its verdict.

Margabandhu's speech clearly put the Treasury benches in a spot. There was no reaction from BJP stalwarts including ministers Sikander Bakht, Sushma Swaraj and Uma Bharti or senior leaders Venkaiah Naidu and V K Malhotra to the tirade which was lustily cheered by the Opposition.

Describing December 6, 1992 as "doomsday," he said that VHP leaders were making statements on the construction of the temple even though the issue was pending in the Supreme Court. An inquiry by the Liberhan Commission was also going on, he pointed out.

While the Prime Minister was asserting that the government would honour the apex court verdict, the VHP was making "irresponsible statements," he said. "Where is the coherence in all this?" Margabandhu asked.

"Indiais a secular country. Should we allow it to go to pieces?" he said.

The AIADMK's stand on the Ayodhya issue should be seen in the context of its demand for dismissal of the Karunanidhi government before Parliament adjourns for a recess on July 12. It turned aggressive against the BJP after the court order for attachment of party chief J Jayalalitha's properties which was subsequently stayed by a higher court.