Giriraj targets Advani, says BJP used temple for votes

Throwing cold water on the RSS’ efforts to bring about a rapprochement between warring members of the Sangh Parivar, VHP leader Giriraj...

Throwing cold water on the RSS’ efforts to bring about a rapprochement between warring members of the Sangh Parivar, VHP leader Giriraj Kishore today lashed out at the BJP and reiterated the need to form a ‘‘Hindu Manch’’ that would safeguard the interests of Hindus.

Kishore mocked at Advani’s claim that the Ayodhya dispute was on the verge of being resolved and the Ram temple would have been built if the NDA returned to power.

‘‘They were in power for six years. Why didn’t they do anything then?’’ he asked, accusing the BJP of using the Ayodhya issue only to come to power. ‘‘For political parties, the Ram Mandir is only a vote-catching device. For us, it is a matter of faith,’’ said Kishore. He added the temple would be built only as a result of a jan andolan the VHP would spearhead.

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Echoing the sentiments of Ashok Singhal, the VHP leader was equally dismissive of Advani’s appointment as BJP chief. To drive home his point, he quoted not Hindu scriptures but Shakespeare: ‘‘Change of the master is not freedom. The entire system and order should be changed.’’

In reply to a question, he said A.B. Vajpayee and L.K. Advani were ‘‘two faces of the same coin’’. He also said it was not a clash between two individuals (Singhal and Advani), underlining the differences could not be solved overnight.

George meets Atal

		NEW DELHI: NDA convenor George Fernandes met with former PM AB Vajpayee on Wednesday. Fernandes is reported to have asked for clarifications on Advani’s statement where he had said the Ram temple would have been constructed had the NDA come back to power. Vajpayee allegedly reassured Fernandes that the NDA’s stated stand continues to remain — that the issue would be sorted out either through a dialogue or through the court. — ENS

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