Notwithstanding coalition compulsions, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday agreed with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh on intensifying the Ram mandir movement, buoyed by the Archaeological Survey of India stating a temple pre-existed the Babri masjid structure.
"In the light of the ASI report, it was decided that the Ram mandir agitation should be intensified," BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan told reporters after a four-hour long hurriedly-convened meeting at BJP president M Venkaiah Naidu's residence in Delhi, attended among others by Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and RSS leaders Mohan Bhagwat and Madandas Devi.
He said the BJP wanted an early resolution of the Ayodhya dispute through negotiations, a court verdict or legislation.
"BJP has no objection to the VHP's proposed agitation in support of its demand for a Bill in Parliament," Mahajan said adding 'since the NDA constituents did not favour such a move, it will not be possible to bring a legislation till they change their mind'.
Mahajan sought to downplay senior VHP leader Ashok Singhal's reported demand for Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's resignation on the Ayodhya issue.
Madandas Devi said he did not support Singhal's demand.
PTI
