Artists carve stones at a workshop at Kar Sevak Puram in Ayodhya on Thursday. (Source: PTI file photo) Artists carve stones at a workshop at Kar Sevak Puram in Ayodhya on Thursday. (Source: PTI file photo)

The VHP on Friday claimed it has approval of almost 500 Lok Sabha MPs for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. Making a fresh pitch for construction of the temple at the disputed site, it said the public cannot wait endlessly for the court decision and that Parliament must act now.

“In the last few months we have spoken to around 500 MPs. Almost all of them want a temple in Ayodhya. The vested interests of some leaders cannot keep the feelings of MPs hostage forever,” VHP Joint General Secretary Surendra Jain told The Indian Express.

Jain refused to name the MPs or offer evidence of their consent for the construction. Conceding that the official stand of their political parties might be different, Jain insisted that these MPs want the temple in Ayodhya.

“We want to begin construction before the next Lok Sabha polls. If courts cannot decide the issue, let Parliament pass a bill. We are hopeful that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will ensure that construction begins during his term. It was also in his agenda,” Jain added.

“We are going ahead with our preparations. We are only waiting to receive possession of the land,” he said.

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