Ram temple issue on BJP's agenda in UP polls

New Delhi, Oct 9: In a clear indication that the Ram temple issue will be on its agenda in the forthcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, BJP today (Oct 9) said its two yatras in the state will culminate at Ayodhya where party leaders will take a pledge to work for victory.

BJP Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the "Jan Swabhimaan Yatra" against corruption and crime in UP will start simultaneously on October 13 from Varanasi and Mathura.

Former BJP President Rajnath Singh will lead the yatra from Mathura, while senior leader Kalraj Mishra will head the yatra starting from Varanasi to be flagged off by NDA Working President L K Advani.

"Both the yatras will culminate in Ayodhya on November 16. On November 17, a Vijay Sankalp Samagam (victory pledge) will be organised," Naqvi said.

BJP sources said the recent Allahabad High Court verdict trifurcating the disputed land at Ayodhya has come as a shot in the arm for the party and it wishes to capitalise on the issue.

While Advani had said soon after the verdict that it vindicates his stand that the disputed place was Lord Rama's birthplace, the party feels this is one issue which should be kept alive for the 2012 Assembly polls.

PTI