Former Bhartiya Janata party leader leader P Govindacharya has blamed the erstwhile National Democratic Alliance government for not fulfilling its commitment to build the Ram Mandir in Ayodhaya.
He ridiculed BJP chief Lal Kishenchand Advani's comment that the temple would have been constructed if the NDA had retained power.
"Such a statement from a former home minister shows the lack of commitment of the BJP on the issue. If they wanted more time why did they go in for early elections," he told rediff.com on Tuesday.
A close aide of Advani in the past, Govindacharya he wanted to return to the BJP.
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"There have been feelers from the party, but I am happy doing my own work and touring the nation to create awareness amongst the masses. I am planning a padyatra in Delhi later this year. Let me clarify that I am not planning to float any party," he said.
He claimed that at least forty members of the BJP national executive were feeling suffocated but could not air their views in public for fear of annoying the party top brass.
Govindacharya said that the BJP had assured the millions of Hindus in 1998 that it would go ahead with the construction of the Ram Temple if voted to power.
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"Construction of the Ram Mandir is an emotional issue and is linked to the feelings of millions of Hindus across India. In 1999, the party developed a cold feet about it. It forgot about the option of enacting a law to construct Ram Temple. This is a matter that cannot be resolved by litigation. Now Advani says that if they had come back to power they would have redeemed their pledge," he said.