Ramayana Museum a 'lollipop', we want Ram Mandir in Ayodhya: Vinay Katiyar

NEW DELHI: As the contentious issue of Ram temple suddenly back in the political discourse in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh with BJP mulling to set up Ramayana Museum in Ayodhya, party's MP Vinay Katiyar called the project a mere 'lollipop'. "We want nothing less than the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, we won't be happy with this lollipop," the BJP hardliner said referring to the proposed Ramayana Museum. "This (Ramayana Museum) is a lollipop, it doesn't have much importance, and thus, they should make efforts to construct the Ram Temple," party's Rajya Sabha MP said. Katiyar went on to demand tabling of a legislation in the Lok Sabha where the BJP-led NDA has a "massive majority". "Be it through a bill in Parliament, through dialogue or a court verdict, the government has to find a solution," he said. He said that Ram temple was also a part of BJP's election manifesto. Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma visited Ayodhya today to inspect the proposed site for setting up a Ramayana museum, a move seen as an attempt to woo pro-Hindutva elements ahead of assembly election in Uttar Pradesh. Sharma, however, played down the political agenda behind the visit, saying it is part of the tourism development plans of the Modi-government and should not be linked with elections in the politically crucial state, which goes to polls early next year. (With inputs from agencies)