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Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Thursday appealed to leaders of political parties and various organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, to keep contentious issues like the Ayodhya dispute on the backburner and contribute their mite in eradicating terrorism from the country.
"Terrorism is the biggest issue today. Every political outfit and organisation should keep contentious issues on the backburner and join the struggle against terrorism," Vajpayee told a press conference in Lucknow.
When reminded that the VHP has threatened to start constructing the temple at the disputed site if the government fails to resolve the issue by March 12, Vajpayee said the VHP was free to choose its own path as far as supporting or opposing any political organisation was concerned.
He said talks were on to resolve the vexed temple issue but denied having given any categorical assurance that the dispute would be resolved by the March 12 deadline set by the VHP.
"I had simply expressed my hope that the issue will be resolved amicably before March 12 and efforts are still on in this direction," Vajpayee said.
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