BJP cannot afford to fail electors on "core" temple issue: VHP

New Delhi, Jul 20: Stepping up pressure for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Vishwa Hindu Parishad has said the ruling BJP at the Centre cannot afford to fail its electors on the "core issue" and must deliver on it.

Citing BJP's manifesto, which mentions the Ram Temple among its core issues, the Hindu outfit said it was sure the party would not like to face the next election with the "failure tag". VHP, however, said it has no reason to doubt the intentions of BJP on delivering on the core issues, including the temple.

"Ram Temple is BJP's core issue. No student can pass an examination unless he answers the core questions. The student may answer six general questions, but if he doesn't answer four core questions in the paper, he will fail.

"We don't think the BJP will like to face its electors with the tag of failure, having done nothing about the Ram Temple. We have no reason to doubt their intentions. We are sure the party will within these four years find a way to resolve the Ram Mandir issue," VHP joint general secretary Surender Jain told PTI.

Asked what gave him the confidence that the issue would be resolved when BJP President Amit Shah had recently said the party lacked the majority needed to address the matter, Jain said it stemmed from the fact that the leader himself described Ram Temple as a core issue.

"BJP president in the same press conference said Ram Temple is a core issue. Political parties can't afford to ignore core issues because voters want not just development but equally the resolution of disputes related to their faith. We are sure the BJP will address the Temple issue.

It will have to," Jain said. VHP had recently asked the government to "clear hurdles" in the path of construction of the temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya. The Hindu outfit's 'Kendriya Margdarshak Mandal', a body of top religious leaders, had resolved at its recent meeting in Hardwar that a delegation of saints would be formed to take up the matter with the government so that impediments are removed.

"The Kendriya Margdarshak Mandal has resolved that a delegation of saints would establish contact with the Union government and hold talks with it to clear hurdles in the way of Ram Temple construction," a VHP statement stated. VHP's Margdarshak Mandal is again meeting in Maharashtra later this month and is likely to further deliberate on the issue.

PTI