Photo: Subir Roy

CAMPAIGN THEME: Senior BJP leader Kalyan Singh releasing the party's `Aim and Objectives' in Lucknow on Thursday.

LUCKNOW: Bharatiya Janata Party vice-president and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh, who was hailed as the "hero of Ayodhya" after the demolition of the Babri mosque in December 1992, on Thursday said the Ram Mandir was not a political issue.

For the record, the Kalyan Singh-led BJP Government in U.P. was formed in 1991 on the Ram temple issue.

In a clear indication of the saffron party distancing itself from the Ayodhya issue, the BJP's shadow Chief Minister for the forthcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections instead said the temple was part of the party's agenda of "cultural nationalism". Mr. Singh, however, hastened to add that the BJP was committed to the construction of the temple.

An alternative

Addressing a press conference on the eve of launching his poll campaign, Mr. Singh distributed the 12-point campaign theme sans any mention of the temple. The campaign would focus primarily on presenting the party as an alternative to the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, and who would be a better Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh, Mayawati, or Mr. Singh. Obviously, Mr. Singh as he possessed an unblemished record whose image and reputation had not been tarnished, unlike those of the present Chief Minister and Ms. Mayawati, the theme paper states. Mr. Singh said the BJP's campaign would also draw attention towards Muslim appeasement and the Islamisation of politics, besides the criminalisation of politics in the Mulayam and Mayawati regimes. He clarified that the BJP would neither extend support to any party nor would it enter into a post-poll alliance.

Adityanath flayed

Mr. Singh who aimed to consolidate Hindu votes for the BJP attacked the rebel Member of Parliament from Gorakhpur, Yogi Adityanath and blamed him for the split. He said several rounds of talks were held between the BJP leaders and the Yogi but the talks failed due to the MP's rigid stance.

The BJP leader appealed to the MP that he should not take steps, which would lead to the division of Hindu votes. The former Chief Minister warned the Yogi that his rebellion would benefit the SP, BSP and Congress, which were against the "Hindu cause".

Mr. Singh said on the contrary, the MP's revolt would help the BJP in Purvanchal (Eastern Uttar Pradesh) as the party workers were determined to ensure the party's victory.

As regards the objective of the BJP in the polls, Mr. Singh said the party would assure a State free from fear, hunger and corruption. He said his campaign would last till the last phase of the elections. Mr. Singh is not contesting the polls.

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