Even as the Ayodhya land dispute is pending before the Supreme Court, BJP leaders in Uttar Pradesh are out to rake up the issue on the public forum in the run to Lok Sabha polls 2019.

"It was the wish of the people that a grand temple in Ayodhya be constructed. But since the matter is sub-judice in Supreme Court, we have to wait for the court verdict," Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday.

"Ayodhya has a very special place in the hearts of people. No one can ignore its significance. It is a matter of time that the wish of people of the country would be fulfilled," he said dropping hints that the BJP will not mind raking up the temple issue in 2019 polls.

Taking cue from the CM, state health minister and BJP spokesperson Dr Siddharth Nath Singh went a step further announcing that "temple construction would begin before 2019". Quoting Swami Brahma Yoganand, Singh said, "The temple issue was very much in BJP's agenda and party will never go back from its promise."

He was releasing a book of Swami Brahma Yoganand at the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) office in Allahabad on Friday. Swami Yoganand had earlier predicted that Narendra Modi would lead the country after 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Recently he had predicted that Modi will become the PM again in 2019 and construction of Ram temple would begin before 2019.

"The Supreme Court verdict would go in our favour and construction of grand Ram temple would begin before 2019. Opinion of Muslims brethren is changing towards the Ayodhya issue. Those who were opposing it till date are now now coming forward to favour the construction of Ram temple. This change is visible across the country," the BJP spokesperson said.

It was not a mere coincidence that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi released a special postal stamp on Lord Ram during his two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency Varanasi recently. Modi euolgised Lord Ram in such a way during his brief speech at Manas Tulsi temple that political circles were agog with BJP bringing back the temple issue in its agenda.

Modi's 'stamp politics' was enough indication for saffron-clad Chief Minister to take forward the temple agenda. He has ordered for a grand celebration in Ayodhya on the eve of Diwali on October 18. The event will replicate the Treta era grand welcome of Lord Ram's homecoming to Ayodhya and his Rajtilak.

During Ram Barat on the occasion, Yogi will himself put vermilion on the forehead of the character playing Lord Ram to announce his homecoming and ascendancy to the throne of Ayodhya.

The entire Ayodhya city would be decked up to resemble the ceremony organized thousands of years ago during Treta era on Lord Ram arrival in Ayodhya. About 1.25 lakh lights (diyas) will be immersed in holy river Saryu to create a mesmerizing scene. Each household in Ayodhya has been requested to contribute at least four diyas (lights).

The State Tourism department has been made the nodal agency to organize the gala event which will also be showcased to earn a Guinness Book World Record. The Chief Minister has directed State Tourism minister Dr Rita Bahuguna Joshi to look after detailing of each event in the grand ceremony personally.

Significantly, the entire Yogi Adityanth Cabinet will be present in Ayodhya on October 18 to witness the gala event. On the occasion, the Chief Minister will also announce several projects and lay foundation stones for the development of the temple town.

Earlier, Yogi had allowed Ram Lila again in Ayodhya after 17 months of discontinuation by the Akhilesh government. He had invited a band of Muslim artists from Indonesia recently to perform Ram Lila at the temple town.

The message is loud an clear. By showcasing Ayodhya and giving statements ffrom public forum, gthe saffron brigade wants to play the religious card to consolidate its Hindu vote-bank and divert voters' mind from the failure of its governmengt on development front.

Predictions

Swami Brahma Yoganand has predicted that Modi will be reelected as PM in 2019 polls, and that the Ram temple construction will begin before 2019.