Bangalore: Describing Prime Minister-designate Manmohan Singh as a "noble figure", Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today (May 21, 2004) said it expects more from him on the Ayodhya issue but asserted that nobody can stop construction of Ram temple at the disputed site.

"Let's see. Manmohan (Singh) is a very, very noble figure. We expect more from him", VHP president Ashok Singhal told a news conference when asked about the Prime Minister-designate's statement on the issue.

Singhal did not elaborate on VHP's expectations from Singh on the Ayodhya issue.

"Our Prime Minister (designate) and President (A P J Abdul Kalam) are noble figures. This is a good fortune of the country," he added.

Singh had said yesterday (May 20, 2004) that the law of land should prevail in the settlement of Ayodhya issue but if there are any serious negotiations among the contesting parties and if it has the sanction of courts then it could be pursued.

Asked if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Allaince (NDA)'s defeat in the elections is a setback to the Ramjanmabhoomi movement, the VHP president emphasised that it's not a political movement but a religious one started by "Dharmagurus" of the country.

"It has been politicised by political parties because Muslims as a community did not want the temple to come up in Ramjanmabhoomi."

Maintaining that all Hindus, irrespective of their party affiliations, are in favour of the temple at Ayodhya, he said, "Dharmagurus will decide what to do in future." But hastened to add that he is confident that nobody can stop building the temple.

"It will definitely be built at the site where Rama was born. No power on earth can stop this movement," he said.

Meanwhile, when asked what the VHP would do as Sonia Gandhi-led Congress has come to power with support from its allies, Singhal said there is a need to enlighten illiterate people.

According to him, 50 per cent of people in the country are illiterates who do not know where the nation is heading to and who is coming power. "So, how can they decide the fate of this country? What is needed is to enlighten the people? Illiterates are also patriots. If they are enlightened, they would be able to know."