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Enough has been written in the past about Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's association with the number 13. This time again, we can't help but remember that today is March the 13th. It's exactly one year since the Vajpayee government was rocked by the Tehelka bombshell. A year has passed and the matter has died down to a great extent. This time, its a bigger bombshell, the Ayodhya issue that Vajpayee has to grapple with.

Centuries ago in 1528, Mir Baqi, a noble under Mughal emperor Babri, build a mosque. The Hindus claim the mosque has been built on a 11th century temple marking the birthplace of Lord Ram in Ayodhya. The first reported Hindu-Muslim clashes on this issue had claimed around 75 lives way back in 1853. Last month's Godhra incident, which is linked with the Ayodhya issue has claimed around 1,000 lives so far. Gujarat still has to recover from the drought, cyclone effect, earthquake and now communal violence.

The 75-year-old Atal Behari Vajpayee, who leads the NDA government has received some setback with today's developments. The Supreme Court has rejected plans for a bhoomi pujan near the disputed site at Ayodhya on March 15. The court has further said that no religious activity would be permitted on the acquired land. The government on its part has assured it will uphold the Supreme Court verdict. In 1992 too, the UP government led by BJP's Kalyan Singh had given a similar assurance. However, kar sevaks succeeded in entering the disputed site and demolishing part of the Babri Masjid.

Some NDA allies and the Opposition have expressed their displeasure after Attorney General Soli Sorabjee had submitted to the three-judge bench hearing the case that a symbolic 'bhoomi puja' could be allowed on the undisputed land in Ayodhya.

Terming the government stand as objectionable, the TDP and Trinamool Congress say the government has taken its bhoomi puja decision without informing or consulting the allies. The NDA allies are expected to meet and hold discussions on the issue of the government's stand. For the time being, the prime minister started a damage control exercise and held meetings with Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, Telugu Desam leader K Yerrannaidu, RLD leader Ajit Singh and Lok Janashakti leader Ram Vilas Paswan.

It may be recalled that the BJP rode to power to a large extent assuring Hindus of building a temple in Ayodhya, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. The present Home Minister L K Advani was the firebrand Hindu leader who mobilized the movement to a great extent with his Rath Yatra. Today, the government and the ruling leaders have toned down to a great extent and construction of a temple in Ayodhya does not appear to be on the government's agenda. Hindu activists say they will defy court orders and offer prayers at Ayodhya and court arrest if the need arises on March 15. With unhappy allies and a defiant VHP, the Prime Minister is probably left only with Lord Ram to save him and his government.

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