Lok Sabha polls 2014: Narendra Modi at Faizabad, to give Ayodhya a miss

FAIZABAD: The Ram Mandir may have found space in Bharatiya Janata Party's manifesto but not on the itinerary of the party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi. On May 3, Modi will be addressing his supporters in Faizabad, but even after coming this far, he won't visit Ayodhya. He makes it a point to visit local shrines wherever he campaigns but he is not going to offer prayer at the disputed site of Ram Janmabhoomi.

Modi has several times turned down proposal to visit Ayodhya. Last year, when he was invited by senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader and president of Ram Janmabhoomi Trust Mahant Nritya Gopal Das to take part in the centenary programme of his temple in Ayodhya, Modi clearly denied.

Talking to TOI, Rakesh Vashishth, senior BJP leader and party spokesperson, said "we are trying to find a big ground to accommodate around 5 lakh supporters who will gather to listen to the prime minister in waiting. Modi ji will reach the rally ground directly and return after addressing the rally. There may not be any programme of Modi ji visiting Ayodhya"

Asked if Modi will offer prayer at the disputed site, state BJP spokesman Vijay Bahadur said he won't.

Acharya Satyendra Das, chief priest of the Ram Mandir at the site, said "In 2004, Advani visited the Ram Mandir during a poll tour and the party lost the election. In 2009, Advani visited Faizabad but didn't come to Ayodhya and still the party lost. Lord Ram never blesses bad people."