The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has decided to build bridges with all political parties and evolve a consensus on the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.
VHP leaders, who had repeatedly threatened to defy all laws to achieve their goal, appeared to be in a different frame of mind at the conclusion of a two-day meeting in Ayodhya on Tuesday.
They resolved to seek the cooperation of members of Parliament in bringing about a special legislation on the temple issue.
"We are seeking handing over of the undisputed land so that we can start construction work," VHP chief Ashok Singhal told rediff.com over telephone from Ayodhya. "I am confident we will be able to convince the members of Parliament..."
According to Singhal, "The dispute in courts relate only to a small patch of 80X100 ft."
"We do not want confrontation for a cause like the Ram temple," Singhal later told journalists.
Pravin Togadia, the firebrand VHP international general secretary, surprised everyone by concurring with Singhal.
Asked if they would also approach the Congress and the Samajwadi Party members, they replied in the affirmative. "Yes, we do not mind talking to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi as well as Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav on the issue," Togadia said.
"That would also compel them to clarify their stand on the issue," he said.
He added that those who oppose the construction of the temple would lose the election.
Togadia did not even spare Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. "Even BJP leaders who have not lived up to the expectations of the people, who sent them to Parliament, will have to pay dearly at the hustings this time," he added.
"We will go on a contact programme with all MPs well before the monsoon session of parliament. I am confident we can convince them to bring about a legislation on the issue."
Political observers feel the current thinking in the VHP is the outcome of the poor response it received from Hindus at a series of agitation programmes.
The Supreme Court's no to any religious activity even on the undisputed land has further dampened their spirits.
Also, the excavation work being carried out in Ayodhya to determine whether a temple existed at the place where the Babri Masjid was built has failed to reveal anything so far.
The excavations were undertaken on the directions of a special bench of the Allahabad high court.
