Vinay Katiyar

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Vinay Katiyar is a BJP politician for the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. He was the de facto founder of the Bajrang Dal and its first president. He held this post when the Babri mosque was demolished on December 6, 1992. Many Bajrang Dal members took part in its demolition. It is largely through his efforts that the Dal now has strong support in the states of Gujarat and Orissa. The Dal now has roughly 13 lakh members.

After handing over the presidency of the Dal to Jaibhan Singh Pawaiya, Vinay Katiyar joined the BJP. He was Lok Sabha member from Faizabad (Ayodhya) in the 13th Lok Sabha from 1999-2004, and was the President of the Uttar Pradesh State Unit of the BJP from 2002 to July 18, 2004.

He often finds himself at odds with sections of the Muslim population who accuse him of being "anti-Muslim".

[edit] Ayodhya issue

Criminal charges have been brought against him in the Babri Masjid demolition case. At times he has taken credit for his involvement in the demolition, and claimed to be proud of it, while at other times (or even simultaneously) blaming everything on the INC government of the day. He has always supported the construction of a temple on the site, often clashing with NDA allies like the Janata Dal (United) in Parliament.

He has raised the issue again and again in 2003 by writing letters to members of Parliament, organising "jagran yatras", etc.

[edit] Popularity

On July 18, 2004 he was asked to resign from the post of President of the Uttar Pradesh State Unit of the BJP after a poor showing in the Lok Sabha poll. Vinay Katiyar lost the election from Lakhimpur Kheri seat as well. He submitted his resignation but questioned a lack of reason behind the request, stating "Even a criminal is told the reasons for awarding him punishment". In the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha byelection in 2006, he suffered a massive defeat and could muster only 19,657 votes of the total total 5,90,026 lakh valid votes[1].