No discussion on Ayodhya in BJP's national convention

Lucknow, Dec 21(UNI) Though the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national convention is to start from tomorrow, controversy over the Ayodhya issue is already brewing.

While central party leaders are likely to raise the issue during the National Council meeting on Saturday, some leaders said that the issue was not on the agenda at all.

BJP president Rajnath Singh told mediapersons here that he might include the Ayodhya issue during his speech in the national council meeting.

'' I will certainly say something on Ayodhya '', he said.

Reiterating the BJP's stand on the issue, Mr Singh said Ayodhya was not a political issue but '' social and cultural'' and the party was committed to construct a temple there when it comes to power at the Centre with full majority.

'' The party is ready for an amicable solution or a court verdict on Ayodhya issue but if it does not happen then only a BJP government at the Centre could do what was required'', the BJP president said.

Meanwhile, firebrand BJP leader Vinay Katiyar claimed that Ayodhya would not figure on the agenda in the party conclave.

The champion of the Ram Temple movement said he would personally raise the issue at an appropriate time and if required, would announce the launch of a ' movement' for early contruction of a grand temple at the disputed site.

''There is a Ram temple at Ayodhya and the only need is to give it a grand shape,'' he asserted.

Criticising the Centre for ignoring the Ayodhya issue, the for former Faizabad MP said it was their ''duty'' to see if the temples were run smoothly.

Reacting to the paucity of funds for the makeshift temple at the disputed site, he said Centre had always ignored the development of Ayodhya and now the management of the temple was in a shambles.

UNI MB NAB VD VV1657