Saturday, January 8 2005 21:53 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Varanasi: With the Ayodhya issue lingering, Sangh Parivar ideologue and social thinker K Govindacharya today (Jan 8, 2005) favoured referendum within 100 kms of the holy city to resolve the imbroglio.

The issue could be resolved by eliciting opinion of people residing within 100 kms of Ayodhya city, he told reporters in Varanasi.

Such a referendum in Ayodhya and adjoining districts would definitely lead to resolution of the vexed issue, Govindacharya said.

He, however, said construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya was identified with aspirations of common people and the resolution of the issue was now beyond the reach of political parties.

On economic reforms, Govindacharya said globalisation had affected economic development and created a gulf between the rich and the poor in the country.

The former BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader said the Centre should bring a white paper on impact of economic reforms on the Indian economy sector-wise.