The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), a member of the Sangh parivar led by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), seems to have lost faith in its saffron sibling BJP's political power. Its central secretary Vyankatesh Apdev announced here on Thursday that they would now approach Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi to seek their cooperation in bringing about a legislation that could help complete construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya at the disputed site.

Addressing a press conference here, Apdev claimed that all the five court cases related to the Ram Janmabhhomi Ayodhya temple have passed the argument hearing stage. He also claimed that 60% of the temple building work has been completed. However, the temple construction cannot be completed without the support of a central legislation. "In this regard, a delegation of senior VHP leaders will soon meet Gandhi, PM and Rahul to seek their support," Apdev informed.

The issue of reviving the Ram temple movement came up during the Haridwar Kumbh conclave and was recently taken up at a meeting of saints and VHP leaders in Ayodhya. It was also decided that the Hanuman Bhakt Samiti would fan out to three lakh villages in the country smearing saffron colour from the Hanumangarh temple. This mass mobilisation campaign through the samiti will begin on Tulsi Jayanti (August 16) and will conclude November 15, he said.

Claiming that archaeological evidence by way of inscriptions were available from the demolished Babri Masjid site to prove that a Ram temple existed there 3,300 years ago and it was devastated around year 1527AD, he claimed.
When the Congress minister of UP could lay a corner stone for the Ayodhya temple and offer the first 'kar seva', it would not be much to expect the Congress to help in completion of the Ram temple, said Apdev. When it was pointed out that BJP president's recent remarks indicated that he was not averse to rebuilding the Babri Masjid at an alternative site, Apdev shot back saying Gadkari knew nothing about the temple movement and the VHP would not allow any mosque within 40km periphery of the Ram temple.