Temple not an election issue, says Vajpayee

Indian opposition leader and Congress Party president, Sonia Gandhi (R), hands over a torch to Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president, Randeep Singh Surjewala (L), in New Delhi yesterday. Sonia Gandhi administered an oath and handed over a torch symbolising India's philosophy and traditions to IYC young leaders from all over India.. PHOTO: AFP

"Ram Temple is not an election issue. It is linked to people's emotion. We should resolve it. I hope efforts in this direction will succeed," Vajpayee said at a press conference in Lucknow.

Asked if temple construction would form part of the BJP manifesto, Vajpayee, flanked by former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Kalyan Singh and Agriculture Minister Rajnath Singh, said, "When the manifesto comes out, it will be before you."

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On how much BJP has gained with the return of Kalyan Singh to the party fold, Vajpayee said, "It has definitely helped and the party will make full use of it."

The Prime Minister parried a question on the remarks of VHP leader Ashok Singhal that the "feel good" factor was restricted to English-speaking people and had not benefited commoners. "I have nothing to say on it," he said.

AFP adds: Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee said Sunday the atmosphere was conducive for talks with rival Pakistan following the announcement of a timetable for peace dialogue.

"There is a conducive atmosphere for holding a dialogue with Pakistan," Vajpayee said in the northern Indian town of Lucknow.

The foreign secretaries of India and Pakistan on Wednesday agreed a schedule for resuming their stalled dialogue, beginning with high-level talks on Kashmir in May or June.

Talks on seven other issues will follow in July, with another meeting between the foreign secretaries in August.

Vajpayee also dismissed the possibility that forthcoming cricket matches between Indian and Pakistani teams, the first in four years, could be marred by ugly incidents because of the intense traditional rivalry between the nations.

"On Pakistan's invitation, the Indian cricketers are going there to play cricket and not to wage war," Vajpayee said.