Advani renews Ram temple pledge

Despite the Ram Mandir issue failing to cut much ice with voters, senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader L K Advani on Friday reaffirmed his commitment to building the temple at Ayodhya.

"Today, I have come to Somnath to offer my prayers on the 20th anniversary of my Rath Yatra. Ram temple should be and will be built at Ayodhya," Advani said after offering prayers.

It was from here on September 25, 1990, that he had launched his Ram Rath Yatra, which, though ending abruptly with his arrest in Bihar, had put the BJP firmly on the road to power.

"I visit Somnath every year this day and will continue to do so till Ram temple comes up at Ayodhya," Advani, who was accompanied by his daughter Pratibha, said.