'VHP using Lord Ram as BJP's polling agent'

Ardh Kumbh Nagar (Allahabad), Jan 20: Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) -- the apex and coordinating body of the 13 'akharas' -- today alleged the VHP was using Ram Lalla (Lord Ram) as the ''polling agent'' of BJP.

The Akhara Parishad president, who is also the 'Mahant' of the Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya, declared wholehearted support to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav saying ''his government's order in 1991 to open fire on kar sevaks in Ayodhya was aimed to maintain the sanctity of law.'' Interacting with mediapersons, the 'Mahant', a sworn adversary of the VHP and BJP, said every time there were elections -- Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha -- the VHP started raking up the Ram temple issue to further the electoral interests of the BJP.

Terming the VHP as a 'rakshas' (demon) and Mulayam Singh Yadav as rakshak (protector), Mahant Gyan Das said, ''the VHP is using Ram Lalla as BJP's polling agent.'' The 'Mahant', denying that there was any groundswell against the Mulayam Singh government, said, ''Mulayam Singh will again form the next government in UP and will later become the prime minister also.''

UNI