New Delhi, Sept 15: VHP today gave an ultimatum to the government to convene a special session of Parliament by October 15 to bring a legislation for the construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya, failing which it would launch a movement with a rally here on that day and a march to Ayodhya from Lucknow on October 17. "The high-powered Ram Janmabhoomi temple construction movement committee today asked the government to convene a special session of parliament before October 15 to pass a legislation for handing over the Ram Janmabhoomi to the trust failing which Rambhaktas will intensify their movement," senior VHP leader Ashok Singhal and trust chairman Mahant Avaidyanath told reporters.
However, to repeated questions as to when the actual construction work would begin, they said the date would be decided in due course. "Construction work takes time," Singhal said.
Asked whether VHP had talked to BJP leaders in the light of ASI findings showing that a temple pre-existed the Babri structure, the VHP leader shot back saying "we do not have any hope from BJP. It has not done anything in the last five years. Rather it has dropped the three important issues, including Ayodhya, from its agenda".
"There is no use talking to BJP. If the party includes these three issues in its agenda, then we will have talks," he said.
Singhal, who had demanded resignation of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in connection with the Ayodhya issue, today parried all questions in this regard saying he would not comment on what he had said earlier. Bureau Report