Wednesday, March 23 2005 22:02 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Ballia (UP): Asserting that the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) had not abandoned the Ram temple issue, Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh today (Mar 23, 2005) said the temple would be constructed at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

"The BJP has not abandoned the Ram temple issue and the party is committed to its construction," the party vice president told reporters.

He said the Ram temple dispute could only be resolved through mutual discussion and a settlement by the court would not be of permanent nature.

Had the Congress not bowed to pressure from the Muslim fundamentalists on the issue of Shabano, the Ram temple dispute would have been resolved long back, he said.

"After becoming victorious on the Shahbano episode, the Muslim fundamentalists felt that they could force the issue on the temple matter," he alleged.