UP BJP claims Ram temple existed at disputed site

"The state executive was of the opinion that a Ram temple existed at the present site at Ayodhya and prayers and offerings continued there at the make-shift temple," he said.

He appealed to Hindus and Muslims to sit together for a dialogue and help pave the way for construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya.

"There are only two options to resolve the vexed Ayodhya tangle – either the court verdict should come in favour of temple construction or Hindus and Muslims should sit-together to resolve the issue of construction of Ram temple at the sanctum sanctorum (garbh-griha)."

The state BJP president said Ram mandir was a symbol of national pride and expression of national sentiments.

He said the NDA is bound to accept the court verdict on Ayodhya or resolve the issue through mutual dialogue and "BJP is not going against this."

Mishra said "the Ayodhya issue is not alone on the agenda of BJP but every political party wants to rake it up time and again," adding "we only respond to their hue and cry."