Ahmedabad:
The office of Gujarat Chief Minister
Narendra Modi has clarified that he will not visit Ayodhya soon. The Chief Minister's Office, in a press statement, said that he "politely declined" an invitation on account of earlier engagements to attend a function organized at Ayodhya.
On June 17, the Press Trust of India carried a report that said the Chief Minister would be present to offer his prayers at the disputed religious site.
It quoted Sharad Sharma of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad as saying that preparations were being made to welcome the Chief Minister to Ayodhya, and that Mr Modi would visit the makeshift Ram temple there.
Mr Sharma, who is the spokesperson of the VHP in Uttar Pradesh, today said, "I have been quoted as commenting on the visit of Narendra Modi. But I am hereby officially refuting any such comment being attributed to me."
In 1992, the Babri Masjid was destroyed by thousands of
karsewaks or party workers who allege that the mosque was built on the birthplace of Lord Ram.
The BJP has said that building a Ram Mandir or temple in Ayodhya will feature in its election campaign, which is to be led by Mr Modi.