Ram temple will be built during BJP rule: Sakshi Maharaj

Unnao (UP): Controversial BJP MP Sakshi Maharaj Sunday declared the Ram temple at Ayodhya will be built under the Centre's BJP government, which has "four more years to go", drawing sharp criticism from opposition Congress.

"If Ram temple is not built under BJP rule, will it be constructed under a Congress dispensation? Will (SP chief) Mulayam or (BSP leader) Mayawati build it?

"It is certain that Ram Mandir will be constructed under the BJP rule. If it is not built today, it will be built tomorrow or the day after. We have completed just one year in power, four more years are to go," he said.

Sakshi Maharaj's assertions came even as a top VHP leader said that Modi government has come to power not only for ushering in development but also to deliver on the core saffron agenda, including building a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya.

"The mandate which the BJP got in the last general election was not merely for development. People expect that they will address the core issues too," VHP spokesman and national general secretary Surendra Jain said.

The Modi government, he said, should be prepared to "face the consequences" like the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA dispensation if it does not deliver on core issues.

"People want their aspirations (of building Ram temple) fulfilled. Vajpayee government failed to fulfil this aspiration and was voted out. BJP will not like to repeat the mistake," Jain told PTI.

He said VHP, which had constituted a panel of senior Sants for negotiations to "find a way forward" for construction of the temple, was confident that Modi will resolve the issue.

"How can one stand by Babur, who was an invader. No nationalist can beecome the follower of an invader. This has to be understood by that section of the society too," he said.

Sakshi Maharaj, BJP MP from Unnao, said he was a product of the Ram temple movement and will back political parties which supported their agenda.