The VHP said the development only served to fortify its argument that the wait for a resolution to the Ram Janmabhoomi issue could not drag on and on, while BJP did not issue any formal statement even as RSS said it would go by the decision of the ‘sant samaj’ (assembly of seers) who are steering the demand .
The SC order has certainly disappointed BJP. “This dispute has dragged on long enough. How much more time will the courts take? On the other hand, the courts are able to pronounce on cases like Sabarimala,” a BJP source said.
Though BJP did not issue any statement, the party is not out of sync with the law or ordinance route advocated by the VHP but is weighing the option in terms of its political and legal consequences. An ordinance that aims to facilitate temple construction is bound to be challenged in the SC where appeals relating to the title suit are pending. The party could argue that it has tried and blame “anti-temple” politics but the result could still be a stalemate.
Pushing the Ayodhya agenda is seen as an arrow in BJP’s electoral quiver but its use may need to be weighed in terms of factors like the political situation in Uttar Pradesh and whether this may consolidate a SP-BSP alliance. BJP leaders have been looking at scenarios where BSP chief Mayawati does not go with the SP and whether a polarisation around the temple issue will be sufficient to offset an opposition alliance needs more consideration.
In terms of the maths in Parliament, BJP lacks the numbers in Rajya Sabha where some ‘neutral’ opposition groups like BJD and AIADMK may also baulk at supporting a controversial legislation to facilitate construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya by giving the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas control of the disputed plot.
“VHP reiterates its earlier request to the government to now enact a law to clear the way for building a grand temple of Bhagwan Shri Ram at his birthplace in Ayodhya. This may be done in the coming winter session of Parliament,” VHP working president Alok Kumar said soon after the case was adjourned.
He said the VHP would intensify its campaign. The organisation recently resolved to launch a massive campaign to mobilise support for a law to build the temple.
from Times of India https://ift.tt/2qh0oxJ
