Construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya must begin in 2016: Subramanian Swamy

New Delhi: BJP’s firebrand leader Subramanian Swamy on Tuesday appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government to begin the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya by 2016.

Swamy took to Twitter and wrote, “My appeal to Modi government stands: Building Ram Temple in Ayodhya must begin in 2016. If government doesn’t know how then ask me or get out of my way.”

Earlier, Swamy had suggested BJP president Amit Shah to convene a special session of the National Executive to discuss the Ram temple whose construction in Ayodhya should begin from January 1 next year.

In a letter to Shah, Swamy had said that BJP should also obtain consent from the court for shifting the mosque present there.

The Narasimha Rao government, he said, had filed an affidavit before the court that if it is found that a temple pre-existed at the place where Babri Mosque was built then the Ram Janmabhoomi land would be handed over to Hindus for building a temple.

“Thus, our government should declare that from January 1, 2016, the construction project of building a Sri Ram temple in Ayodhya will commence,” he had said.

Swamy said he had earlier written to Shah in March urging him to convene a special session of the National Executive to discuss this issue and other commitments made in the BJP’s election manifesto which are close to the hearts of partymen and described as ‘Hindutva’ issues.

“I urge therefore now again to schedule a special session of the National Executive. I am sure you will agree that Hindutva is the core issue of the BJP’s ideology and it needs special attention of the party.”