Jodhpur, July 22: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today said it was ready to support the Congress in the coming polls if the party sides with it on the Ram Temple construction issue. "If the Congress supports us on Ram Mandir issue, the VHP can support it in the coming elections", VHP international general secretary Praveen Togadia told reporters here.

"Our plank is Ram Mandir and any party who supports it we will naturally go with it. If Congress supports us we shall support it in the polls and if BJP supports our cause we shall support it", Togadia said.

Asked to comment on the three ways to solve the vexed Ayodhya issue - though the court of law, through negotiations and through legislation, he said, "Hindus are seeking only three temples - Ayodhya, Kashi and Mathura - and if Muslims give them back to us it will create a good atmosphere in the country". Referring to Pakistani hardline Jamait Ulema-e-Islam chief Fazal-ur-Rahman's goodwill visit to and simultaneous bomb blasts in Katara killing Vaishnodevi pilgrims, he said "talks and bombs cant go together".

Bureau Report