'Sants' sore over Rajnath Singh's statement on Ram temple construction

Hindu religious leaders reminded BJP of its poll promise and asked it not to 'betray" those who voted it to power

Upset over Home Minister Rajnath Singh's statement expressing inability to enact a law for construction of Ram temple, seers and Hindu religious leaders here today reminded BJP of its poll promise and asked it not to "betray" those who voted it to power.

"The 'sants' here are unhappy over the statement issued by Rajnath Singh. They believed that BJP will not betray the people and they want the ruling party to enact a law as per its promises to pa ve the way for construction of Ram temple," senior member of the Ram Janmbhoomi Nyas and former MP Ram Vilas Vedanti said.

"Rajnath Singh as the then national president of BJP during Mahakumbh 2013 had promised the 'sants' that if voted to power, his party will enact a law for making the temple a reality and they want the government to keep its promise," Vedanti told PTI.

To Singh's contention that BJP does not have majority in the Upper House of Parliament, Vedanti said that by October 2016, the ruling party will be in a comfortable position in Rajya Sabha.

"Till then, the Centre should hand over the undisputed 67 acres land to the Ram Jamnbhoomi Nyas and for the disputed piece of land, it can enact a law in 2016," Vedanti said.

He demanded that before 2017 Uttar Pradesh assembly poll, the undisputed area should be given to the Nyas.

"If they betray Ram 'bhakts' and don't pave the way for the temple, they should very well understand what their future will be," Vedanti warned.

Acharya Satyendra Das, head priest of the Ram Janmbhoomi, temple said they had high hopes that BJP would find a way out when it formed the government at the Centre with massive majority.

"But the lull during the one year when no momentum was seen in the direction of fulfilling the aspirations of the Hindus has brought immense disappointment to those who voted for this government," he said, adding that now the thinking has changed and BJP too is speaking in a voice similar to that of other political parties on the issue.