Rajnath promises Ram temple, Atal seeks votes but quiet on Gujarat

Former prime minister and party leader Atal Behari Vajpayee also issued a message seeking popular mandate for his party for the December 19 Himachal Pradesh election. The former Prime Minister, who has been unable to campaign because of ill health, asked the electorate to vote for the BJP to take the state 8220;again on the path of fast-paced development8221;. Vajpayee has been silent on Gujarat, where his party is trying hard to retain power, apparently in an effort to distance himself from Chief Minister Narendra Modi whom he had once advised to follow 8216;raj dharma8217;.

Singh, who warned the Government on the Ram Sethu issue, also did not fail to flaunt the Ram temple agenda. 8220;Ram temple is an issue of national pride and when the BJP returns to power at the Centre with a clear mandate, Ram temple will be a reality. We will do everything possible, including enactment of legislation, to pave way for the construction of the temple,8221; he said, denying allegations that the issue is only used to win elections. 8220;We stand by our commitment. It is very much a part of the BJP8217;s cultural agenda. There is no question of using the temple issue merely for elections,8221; he said.

He, however, added that the BJP respects the sentiments of the Muslims and every mosque in the country will be protected by its workers.

The BJP president attacked the Congress for pursuing a 8220;communal ideology8221; and for linking a particular religion with terrorists. 8220;The terrorists have no religion or caste. It is unfortunate that the Congress has always tried to link the terrorists with one religion,8221; he said.

Singh also claimed that the Congress8217;s appeasement policy has encouraged terrorists and security forces are getting demoralised. He drew attention of the Government towards the threat to the country8217;s internal security, smuggling of explosives and the threat of sleeper modules.

He also expressed serious concern over China8217;s activities close to the border with India and wondered why the Government did not lodge a strong protest against China for staking claim over Arunachal Pradesh.

Vajpayee, in his message, stuck to 8220;inflation, unemployment and lack of development8221; during the Congress rule in the state. Contending that an opportunity had come for making a 8220;new beginning8221; and shaping the future, he said 8220;you have tested us earlier. We have come up to your expectations.8221; Vajpayee said when the BJP was in power at the Centre as well as in Himachal, no stone had been left unturned in ensuring fast-paced development of the state.