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RSS, VHP planning Mandir stir ahead of Modi move

January 31, 2013 15:24 IST

Before the possible arrival of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi to New Delhi ahead of the 2014 general election, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh have decided to rake up the Ram Mandir issue again.

They have planned six major events in 2013 to try and bring the Ayodhya issue back to the national centre-stage.

On March 10, Shivratri, the Sadhu Margdarshak Mandal will meet at the Allahabad on the Maha Kumbh Mela's last day and endorse a plan of action for 2013.

And on April 20, Ramnavmi, hundreds of sadhus and sants will gather at Varanasi for a march to Ayodhya.

This was the core theme discussed at a meeting between leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the RSS on Thursday -- which was attended by L K Advani and Dr Murli Manohar Joshi. Three top RSS leaders were also present. This strategy takes into account a scenario of early Lok Sabha polls -- possibly in 2013.

The decision to whip up Hindutva sentiments may be a fore-runner to the announcement of Modi moving to New Delhi.

In November, the sadhus are likely to congregate at Ayodhya to declare that they will build a temple for Lord Ram in the space which is not under legal scrutiny or even select a more controversial site.

A plan of action is being worked out and a final decision will be taken shortly in consultation with senior BJP leaders, said a senior VHP source.

A Correspondent in Delhi