PM doing best to solve Ayodhya issue: Venkaiah

Bharatiya Janata Party president M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday criticised the Vishwa Hindu Parishad for attacking Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and his deputy Lal Kishenchand Advani over the Ayodhya issue.

"There is no merit in their criticism of the prime minister and the deputy prime minister as they, being in the government, are bound by the Constitution and coalition dharma," he said.

The BJP was 'committed' to construction of a temple at the 'actual' place of Lord Rama's birth in Ayodhya, he said, adding that Muslims should 'gift' the disputed piece of land in the interest of national integrity.

Asking detractors whether anybody had any doubt where Lord Rama was born, he said, "It is clear that a temple was destroyed and it has to be rebuilt. There is enough historical evidence available."

"The Muslim community should think. For them, the place has no importance. But for Hindus, it is important..." he said.

BJP believed in no discrimination against any community, Naidu said. He criticised the Congress and the Communist parties for taking the Muslims 'for a ride'. "We hope these parties will take a realistic stand," the BJP chief added.