Lucknow: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today (Feb 23, 2004) said the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya would not be an election issue and hoped that efforts made in resolving it would succeed.

"Ram temple is not an election issue. It is linked to people's emotion. We should resolve it. I hope efforts in this direction will succeed," Vajpayee said at a press conference.

Asked if temple construction would form part of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) manifesto, Vajpayee flanked by former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh and Agriculture Minister Rajnath Singh said, "When the manifesto comes out, it will be before you."

On how much BJP has gained with the return of Kalyan Singh to the party fold, Vajpayee said, "It has definitely helped and the party will make full use of it."

The Prime Minister parried a question on the remarks of VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad) leader Ashok Singhal that the "feel good" factor was restricted to English-speaking people and had not benefited commoners, he said, "I have nothing to say on it."