Solution in sight on temple-mosque row

Under the formula, the mosque site in the holy Hindu town of Ayodhya would be left untouched pending a court decision on its ownership while a new temple would be constructed on 67 surrounding acres of land.

"In return, Muslims will get land outside this area for a huge Jama Masjid (mosque) and an Islamic university," the source said. "As far as the disputed land where the mosque stood, all sides will give a commitment in writing to the court that they will abide by its verdict."

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On Thursday, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led alliance, unveiling its manifesto for national elections due to be held this month, pledged to press for a peaceful resolution of the dispute which has been a lightning rod for Hindu-Mulsims tensions in recent years.

The source said they were ready to present the solution in writing to the Supreme Court in mid-March but the BJP decided not to in order to avoid controversy ahead of the phased elections to be held from April 20.

Polls tip the BJP-led alliance to win the election on the back of a booming economy and peace moves with nuclear rival Pakistan. "If there'd been any discordant voice, the entire 'feel-good factor' would have been destroyed so it was decided to wait till after the elections," the source said.

The BJP spearheaded a campaign in the late 1980s to build a temple on the site of the 16th-century mosque Hindus believe was constructed atop the birthplace of the revered god-king Ram.

The drive culminated in the mosque's destruction by a frenzied Hindu mob in 1992, sparking nationwide riots in which at least 2,000, mainly Muslims, died.