BJP rakes up Ayodhya with eye on polls

BJP, which had kept its pet issues like Ramjanambhoomi on the backburner because of coalition compulsions 10 years ago, today revived the Ayodhya chant saying it would build a magnificent temple for Lord Ram if it gets a majority on its own.
The party, which had yesterday suggested that Congress may exploit war hysteria ahead of Lok Sabha elections, today made a strong pitch for "direct action" against Pakistan if it failed to take concrete measures in the wake of the Mumbai terror strikes.
Party chief Rajnth Singh declared in his inaugural address at the two-day National Council meeting of the BJP that it was committed to building a magnificent temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya.
"We are waiting for an opportunity and will enact a law when we get a majority on our own.
"Jahan tak Ram Janambhoomi ka sawal hai, koi ma ka lal Bhagwan Ram me hamari aastha aur nishta ko diga nahi sakta (No one can shake BJP's faith and reverence to Lord Ram)," he said.
Talking tough about Islamabad, Singh said "Pakistan will have to take some concrete measures. For this the Government of India should take the international community into confidence and create diplomatic pressure on Pakistan and if there is no outcome even after this, then the alternative of direct action should be resorted to."