Once it goes to the Apex court, it may take another two decades to get a clear verdict unless the Chief Justice decides to hear it on a day-to-day basis. The High court's order will in all probability be stayed by the Supreme Court once it takes up the case. This brings us back to square one.

Ayodhya has been at the centre stage for the past two decades. There was parallel enquiry Commissions like the Liberhan Commission, which took 17 years to submit its report while the criminal cases against BJP leaders like L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi are still going on. The irony is that those responsible for bringing down the Babri Masjid are still not punished.

What does the verdict mean to various political parties? The BJP is on the top of the world as the court has held that Ram was born in the same place, the Ram Lalla should not be removed and Babri Masjid was against the tenets of Islam. The Sangh parivar, which was demoralized after the BJP lost power, has gained a shot in the arm after this. However, the parivar as well as the BJP are playing a cautious game. RSS chief Mohan Bhagawat is speaking in conciliatory tones and while the BJP wants reconciliation. The militant wings of the parivar - Bajrang Dal and Viswa Hindu Parishad - which played a big role in the 1992 demolition-, are low key in their reaction. This is not because of their love for the Muslims but they have realized that they cannot wish away the Muslims. The Parivar has also been restrained in its reaction to the verdict and has not provoked the other side. Similarly, the Muslims too have remained cautious and responded to the verdict with maturity and restraint. There is a divided opinion in the BJP about going back to the Hindutva agenda and this can be seen in the restrained manner in which even Advani has reacted. The younger leaders in the party want the BJP to show a liberal face.

The BJP expects some immediate electoral benefit from the ensuing Bihar elections. In the caste- ridden state, the party hopes that the upper castes may come back to them and there could be some polarisation of Hindus in favour of the party. Its goal is also to improve in UP, which was its citadel at one point of time. If the BJP gets more seats in UP, its chances of coming back to power at the centre would also improve.

The other beneficiary of the verdict is the BSP. U.P chief minister Mayawati showed that she is an iron woman by making all the arrangements to keep the state under control on the eve of the verdict. She is in no hurry to remove the forces. She has shown her political sagacity by immediately putting the responsibility squarely on the centre as the site is under the Central government. The ball is entirely in the Centre's court and she may instill confidence among the Muslim voters although they already support her.

The Congress is in a strange position. Being in command at the centre, which showed nervousness; the Congress took the obvious stand by welcoming the verdict although it did not take a categorical stand on the Ayodhya issue all along.

The Congress is worried whether this verdict will affect its upsurge in U.P. where the party had gained the support of Muslim masses to a certain extent. Not having taken a decisive stand on the Ayodhya issue, the party is apprehensive of the continued support of the Muslims who may divide their support between the BSP and the SP while the Brahmins and the upper caste may go back to the BJP. Rahul Gandhi is making all out efforts to improve the party's position in UP, which goes to polls in 2012.

The first test will be in Bihar in the Assembly elections this month. The Congress is going it alone and was hoping for improvement The Muslim support would be crucial because they form a huge chunk of votes in many constituencies and can sway the elections in either way. If the Hindu polarization takes place in the elections, then the BJP - JD (U) would gain.

The RJD too would try to use this verdict for its resurrection. The RJD chief Lalu Yadav used his Muslim-Yadav combination to come to power after he arrested L.K. Advani. He now finds himself in political doldrum. Things have changed now so that the Muslims have started looking elsewhere deserting the RJD. Lok Janshakti leader Ramvilas Paswan would also be in the loser category.

The SP chief Mulayam Singh is another loser. He is down after his alliance with Kalyan Singh when they lost the Lok Sabha polls miserably. The Muslims now may move to Mayawati who had shown that she is the iron lady. The SP is in shambles after the departure of Amar Singh who did much political management at the centre.

The verdict should be seen as an opportunity to move on. There is a whole new generation of youngsters who were born after Ayodhya and their goal is not the temple or the masjid but good life. If the two communities decide to shake hands and live in peace, this opportunity should not be missed.

The centre should come forward to build a mosque and a temple at the site so that peace can prevail. The centre should take initiative in this regard and begin negotiations with both sides. Even if the case goes to the Supreme Court, a political settlement would be the best and the mood in the country is for peace and development. (IPA Service)