Near Ayodhya, he says a temple soon, talks on

The solution to the temple, he claimed, ‘‘will become a powerful instrument to forge unity between Hindus and Muslims.’’

This stance is in conformity with the Vision 2004 Document of the BJP, which has termed a negotiated settlement the best solution to the temple issue while also admitting the primacy of the judicial verdict.

Advani said, ‘‘When I talk of the temple, I am often asked, what is the basis for this assurance.’’ And then went on to add that ‘‘discussions have been on (with Muslims) for eight months.’’ Several people had told him, he said, that ‘‘it will be difficult for us’’ to hold discussions if there was any ‘‘advance publicity.’’

Advani said when he undertook the Ram rathyatra in 1990, many people criticised it by describing it as divisive. In an apparent reference to the Mandal Commission fall-out, he said though the BJP never opposed benefits given to weaker sections, it did not ‘‘appreciate the way it was done.’’

He claimed that the temple ‘‘united Hindus. Otherwise, one does not know what turn this caste bitterness would have taken. The essence of the temple movement and Jai Shri Ram is that it reminds one of Ram and Shabari both.’’

Former Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, during his brief speech, folded his hands and told the audience: ‘‘I bow before your feet. I have come to pray to all of you to vote for our candidate. If he loses, my Ram’s name will be defamed. Ram’s town will be defamed. You will be defamed. Don’t let my Ram get a bad name.’’