09 January,2016 01:02 PM IST | | PTI
VHP made a strong pitch for bringing a bill in Parliament to pave the way for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and expressed confidence of it becoming a reality during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
New Delhi: VHP on Saturday made a strong pitch for bringing a bill in Parliament to pave the way for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and expressed confidence of it becoming a reality during the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
VHP leader Surendra Jain also reached out to Congress president Sonia Gandhi urging her to support the bill inside Parliament. "Modiji is a smart politician. He is aware people who are pushing for the temple are also responsible for his victory as well as those who want development. He will respect their emotions," Jain, VHP's international joint secretary general, told reporters here.
"Modiji has a plan for 10-15 years. Lambi race ke ghode hai woh (he is a man for long innings). He can be there (in power) for 10-15 years only when he is able to deliver on the core issue. Hence, we are confident, he will," he said. Jain said a delegation of saints will also meet Modi over the temple issue.
He urged Gandhi and her son Rahul too to have a "change of heart" by supporting the bill or "at least not oppose" it in Parliament. "Her husband wanted the temple to come up. He had launched his poll campaign(in 1989 general election) campaign from Ayodhya with a commitment that he will bring in Ram Rajya. So, how come she will not fulfill will of her husband? At least, she should not oppose. Rahul too should have change of heart," Jain said.
He claimed that right wing leaders have already met over 500 former and present Lok Sabha members seeking their support for the cause. The VHP leader maintained that the bill is "important" to see that the temple takes shape as approaching courts in this regard will be time consuming with disgruntled parties in the matter exploring legal options for favourable results.
He also hit out at detractors of right wing outfits over the allegations that they are fanning the issue in view of "crucial" 2017 assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh. "It is not a poll issue for us. It is our resolution to see the temple is built," he said, adding the VHP is collecting stones for the temple work "in the form of donations". Jain though did not spell out any deadline by when the temple construction work will begin.
