Hazaribagh (Jharkhand): Delighted over the inclusion of the Ayodhya temple issue in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) manifesto, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani today (Apr 9, 2004) said the settlement of the long-standing temple issue was round the corner.

"I am happy to know that the temple issue has been included in the NDA and confident of an amicable solution," Advani told a press conference in Hazaribagh.

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Advani said the dialogue, involving the Dalai Lama, the Kanchi Sankaracharya and other Muslim leaders is making good progress towards a settlement of the issue.

"A solution will come up probably after the formation of the next Government at the Centre. I am sure the burning issue will be solved, it is round the corner," Advani, who is in Hazaribagh on his rath yatra, said.

Pointing out that the leaders of the two sides had said the controversy should be settled through dialogue or through court, the Deputy Prime Minister said he was happy over the NDA accepting this and including the issue in its manifesto.

The manifesto was released by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee along with NDA convener George Fernandes in New Delhi yesterday.