Hours after the death of Ramjanambhoomi Nyas (trust) president Mahant Ramchandradas Paramhans, accusations and counter accusations flew fast and thick over the possible cause of his death.

While the Vishwa Hindu Parishad claims that the mahant was hurt by the sidelining of the outfit in efforts to resolve the Ayodhya imbroglio, Mahant Gyan Das of the Hanuman Garhi Temple alleged that VHP leaders caused his death.

In Ayodhya, VHP international president Ashok Singhal claimed that the mahant was hurt by the reported denial of an audience by Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani and the 'prominence' given to Kanchi Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswati over the VHP in efforts to resolve the Ayodhya imbroglio.

These developments probably caused the first heart attack on June 12, he told reporters.

Singhal claimed the mahant disclosed his feelings to him when they met in the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute Hospital in Lucknow, where Paramhans had been admitted following a heart attack.

Dr P K Goyal, one of the doctors attending on the mahant, was also present when he made this disclosure, Singhal claimed.

On the other hand, Gyan Das has accused VHP leaders of getting the ventilators in the mahant's removed, leading to his death.

Das alleged that Singhal and VHP general secretary Pravin Togadia had asked for the removal of the ventilators.

Singhal took strong exception to this accusation. "Only those with a sick mind could cook up such stories," he said.

Das also pointed out that the VHP wanted to handle the mahant's cremation, which traditionally should have been the responsibility of the heads of the Nirvani, Nirmohi and Digambar akharas.

PTI