Both Babari and the bribery were recognised immediately as scandals, and there was commotion in Parliament and anger in the press; but the Congress party was immune and indifferent to cither betrayal or bribery.

There was not even a hint of protest inside. The Congress Muslim ministers were the worst; they queued up for rewards from Rao, who handed them out feverishly as he sought to save his skin and chair. The Ghulams and the Salmans are still hovering around at the top of the Congress pole, this time around Sonia Gandhi, now blaming Rao for having lost the Muslim vote. The Ghulams lost the vote, not Rao. But once Rao had purchased the Muslims in his party with promotions, and calmed others with moral pretensions, he knew he was safe .. Source: The Asian Age. 1 October, 2000)