'VHP will begin work on Ram Temple in Ayodhya'

Vijayawada, July 13: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today asserted it would begin work on construction of a 'grand' Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya next year.

Talking to UNI here, VHP National Secretary Y Raghavulu said it had sought immediate permission from the Centre for constructing the temple ''according to the wishes of 100 crore Hindu society.'' He said the VHP was also against the Centre's move to put up a temporary bullet proof steel structure around the place where the Ram idol was placed and other security measures involving crores of rupees.

Mr Raghavulu also sought the resignation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil for allegedly not upholding the secular principles.

UNI