National
Singhal calls on Jayalalithaa
By Our Special Correspondent
CHENNAI, DEC. 6. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad(VHP) president, Mr. Ashok Singhal, today called on the AIADMK general secretary, Ms. Jayalalithaa, but denied he was acting as a bridge between the AIADMK and the BJP.
While terming his visit as a ``courtesy call'' devoid of any political significance, Mr. Singhal said Ms. Jayalalithaa was ``very close'' to the VHP. ``She is God-fearing; she visits temples,'' he added by way of explaining why he thought the AIADMK leader was close to his organisation.
Mr. Singhal said he had apprised Ms. Jayalalithaa of the VHP's views on the Ram Janmabhoomi issue. ``She is well- informed, more than other politicians.'' The VHP, he insisted, was not a political organisation but only a religious body.
Asked whether Ms. Jayalalithaa had endorsed the VHP stand on the issue, Mr. Singhal said: ``I have only given our case and where we stand.'' The Ram temple issue was a `dharmic issue', not a political one, he added.
On whether he had sought support for the VHP's March deadline for the construction of the temple, he said: ``I have not asked her that question.''
Mr. Singhal said he would be meeting all politicians on the issue, including the DMK president, Mr. M. Karunanidhi. When it was pointed out that Mr. Karunanidhi had opposed the construction of a temple without adherence to a Supreme Court verdict, he remarked: ``They are all politicians.''
On January 27, all Dharmagurus would gather to demand land for the temple, he added.
To a question on the demand for a ban on extremist Sangh Parivar outfits such as the Bajrang Dal and VHP, he said it was ``nonsense.''
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