Varanasi: Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today (Aug 20, 2004) said there was a need for a pro-Hindu political front to protect the interests of Hindus.

"The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) has deviated from the path of Hindutva and it cannot be expected (from it) to work in the interests of Hindu Samaj and a viable alternative was needed," VHP international working president Ashok Singhal said at a function in Varanasi.

To a question, he said that VHP was a religious and social organisation and could not be converted into a political outfit.

Singhal termed the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government at the Centre as "an enemy of the Hindus" which could not think about their interests.

On the Ram Temple issue, Singhal said that no new movement would be launched for the construction of the temple in Ayodhya.

Without divulging details, he said some concrete steps would, however be taken for to initiate the construction of the temple.