Temple construction is mentioned in the BJP election manifesto, Subramanian Swamy has said.
BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said he has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his intervention to push for day-to-day hearing of the Ram Janmabhoomi issue in the Supreme Court. This, he said, will make an early verdict possible and the construction on the temple at Ayodhya can start by the end of this year following all-round consultations.
At a press conference, Mr Swamy said he would try and meet leaders of the Muslim community including Asaduddin Owaisi, president of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, and Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, to find an amicable solution to the issue.
He cited Mr Owaisi's request that petitioners in the case and the Muslim leaders want day-to-day hearing of the petitions that challenge the Allahabad High Court verdict of 2010, which awarded one-third of the land of the disputed site to the Sunni Waqf Board, one-third for the Nirmohi Akhara and one-third to the party for 'Ram Lalla'.
The appeal against the decision is being heard by the Supreme Court.
Mr Swamy said in his letter he has requested Prime Minister Modi to direct law officers to seek a day-to-day hearing of the petitions.
Asked if any plan has been chalked out for early construction of the Ram temple, he said it would only come up after the Supreme Court verdict and after mutual consensus among Hindu and Muslim leaders.
"The moment the court verdict is out, we will start work on Ram temple construction. We want to start the construction work before this year-end," he said. "We will talk to Muslim leaders and find an early solution. I am confident that Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is a believer of Hanuman, and BSP leader Mayawati will both agree for an amicable solution."
Mr Swamy said seminars will be organised across the country to explain the legal and historical aspects of the temple.
Asked whether his party, the BJP, was on the same page on the issue, he said construction of the temple is mentioned in the party's election manifesto.