In Haridwar, VHP set to revisit saffron agenda

After lying low for some time, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), part of the Sangh Parivar, is trying to revive its old political agenda "" building the Ram temple in Ayodhya and saving the Ram Setu and the Ganga.

VHP's top leaders, Ashok Singhal, Praveen Togadia and others, have started gathering in the holy city of Haridwar to revive the saffron agenda ahead of the Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The elections are considered crucial for the BJP as it is ruling in all these three states.

Some top BJP and RSS leaders are also expected to join the VHP's two-day conclave, starting from June 15.

During the two days, the VHP will also hold a crucial meeting of its "Kendriya Margdarshak Mandal" to take stock of the socio-political situation in the country.

The VHP, apparently sensing his growing popularity in India and abroad, is also trying to rope in Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev.VHP leaders have already held a series of meetings with Baba Ramdev.

The conclave will also decide the strategy for launching a fresh campaign for the Ram temple and announce a fresh date for construction of the temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

On Ram Setu, VHP leaders expect the Centre to not take any step that can lead to the destruction of the structure. VHP leaders would also lend their support to Dr GD Agrawal and other environmentalists over conservation of the Bhagirathi river. "We must not disrupt the continuous flow of the Ganga," said a VHP leader.

The VHP would also announce a date for launching a nationwide campaign to oust Bangladeshi infiltrators from India. "Bangladeshi infiltration has become a big problem for the country. There are more than 30 million Bangladeshi immigrants in the country," said a VHP leader.