'Rambhakts' threaten to dump BJP

The boisterous 'Rambhakts' virtually put the BJP on notice warning that they could ''dump'' it in the next general elections if the party failed to build the Ram temple.

Ironically, it was the BJP who filled the venue of the 'dharam sabha' in Ayodhya with its supporters, who were brought mainly from the nearby districts in buses and trains.

Although the 'dharam sabha' was sponsored by Vishwa Hindu (VHP), dozens of BJP legislators were seen bringing their supporters to the venue from their respective Assembly constituencies.

''BJP is not the only alternative for us. We will not hesitate in dumping it in the next Lok Sabha polls if the Ram temple construction does not start very soon,'' said 70-year old Ram Pratap Singh, who had come from Gorakhpur, the home town of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Although Singh ruled out supporting the Congress, he seemed to agree to the Shiv Sena supremo Udhav Thackeray's aggressive tone on the temple issue.

Udhav has asked the BJP government to bring a bill for the temple in the Parliament.

Sushil Kumar, who had come from Hardoi district, also echoed a similar sentiment.

''BJP should stop playing politics on the issue. It remained silent for four years. We only want Ram temple and will support any party, which gets it constructed,'' Kumar said.

50-year old Ram Khelawan Tripathi, who had come from Ballia, also said that BJP should not take the support of the Hindus ''for granted''.

''We had supported the BJP thinking that it will construct the Ram temple,'' he added.