RSS and BJP unsettled by temple hold-up

NEW DELHI: The VHP’s decision to close down its Ram temple workshop in Ayodhya seems to have caught the BJP and the RSS unawares

Coming as it does in the middle of the Uttar Pradesh poll campaign, the move has embarrassed both parties, with none of the leaders willing to comment on the matter.

However, privately, most of them admitted that they had not been told about the decision. The acknowledgment suggests that despite the new bonding between various Sangh Parivar constituents, there has been no recent dialogue on an issue that helped them come into prominence.

The BJP may take an official view on the VHP decision after LK Advani visits Ayodhya for an assessment.