With eye on 'Ram Rajya', BJP to highlight Ram Mandir issue in UP polls

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is making desperate attempts to establish its presence in India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, today made it clear that the issue of Ram Temple in Ayodhya would be its top agenda during the assembly polls scheduled next year.

"Law and order should be sound in the state. Before it, we cannot talk about other issues. Our agenda in the polls would be development, good law and order, communal peace and harmony. Without resolving these issues, nothing can be done," Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Kalraj Mishra said.

"The issue of Ram Temple in Ayodhya has always been on the top priority and it will always be our top priority. We have a very clear policy in this regard. It depends on the court's order and forming consensus. It can be done by introducing a bill if the consensus is formed," he added.

Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya had earlier expressed confidence that his party would win an absolute majority in the 403-member House in the 2017 assembly elections and "establish Ram Rajya" in the state.

The BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit seems to be ready with its first batch of nearly 200 candidates, who will contest the elections. The first list of about 200 candidates is likely to be announced by the end of May.