Former BJP leader Kalyan Singh is all set to outwit the BJP on the Ayodhya issue. Mr Singh has already started positioning himself as an aggressive Hindu hardliner and is trying to resurrect his image of 1992 when the he was named as the main architect of Babri demolition.
“This time, I will take active interest in the Ram temple movement but as a Ram Bhakt — not a party leader. My life now has one mission — the construction of the Ram temple,” he said before leaving on a one-day visit to Ayodhya along with his supporters on Thursday.
In Ayodhya, the former BJP leader offered prayers at the Ram Janambhoomi temple while his supporters chanted slogan that said “Kalyan tum sangharsh karo, mandir ka nirman karo,” outside.
Mr Singh also met local sadhus and saints during his Ayodhya visit.
Mr Kalyan Singh, according to sources, is taking full advantage of the BJP’s reluctance to play up the Ram temple issue.
“It is almost shocking that the BJP leadership is trying to maintain a safe distance from the temple issue on the eve of the verdict on the Babri title suit. Its leaders are appealing for peace which is sending out wrong signals to Hindus. Mr Kalyan Singh is now determined to project himself as a Hindu hardliner and emerge as the undisputed leader of those who firmly believe in Hindutva and the Ram temple,” said a Kalyan supporter.
Apparently, the former BJP leader wants to project his fledgling Jan Kranti Party as a pro-Hindu force and fill in the vacuum created by the dilution of the Hindutva card by the BJP leadership.
Of late, Mr Singh has held a series of press conferences in Lucknow in which he had repeatedly reiterated his commitment to the temple issue and his belief in aggressive Hindutva. This is obviously designed to check the erosion in his credibility that was caused by his changing political stances in recent years.
Interestingly, Mr Singh recently held some closed-door meetings with the VHP leadership. The meetings assume significance in view of the statements made by VHP leaders regarding their disillusionment with BJP’s posture on the Ayodhya issue. The VHP, apparently, now wants to back Kalyan Singh on this issue.
If sources close to the former chief minister are to be believed, Mr Singh is all geared up to grab the opportunity and lead the temple movement if the verdict in the Babri title suit goes against the Hindus.
“His will be first voice that will be heard when the court verdict is pronounced and this will automatically catapult him into a lead position if the BJP decides to sit back. Already we are getting support form BJP cadres who are upset with their leaders’ attitude on the issue,” said a close aide.
Kalyan Singh will soon be back in form and will paint the state saffron,” said a close aide.