Pravin Togadia supporters clash with police in Ayodhya

FAIZABAD (UP): The supporters of former Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia clashed with the police Tuesday, breaking barricades at the disputed Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid site in Ayodhya while trying to enter the area.

After the clash, all roads to Ayodhya were blocked by the police. The police had to use force to disperse the mob, said officials. The roads were opened after the situation returned to normal.

Later in the day, Togadia announced plans to float a new political party, which will contest the Lok Sabha elections in 2019.


He said he will announce the name of the party and the candidates in Delhi next month.

Addressing a gathering of activists of his Antarrashtriya Hindu Parishad in Ayodhya, Togadia said his party will take on the BJP.

Togadia, who had camped in Ayodhya for the past three days, slammed the BJP for ignoring the interests of Hindus by not doing enough to ensure that a grand Ram temple is constructed at the disputed site.

The Hindus will now vote for a Hindu government and the BJP will be defeated, Togadia told PTI.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi got public support only in the name of the Ram Mandir," he said.

He said "unanimous resolutions" have been passed at several "dharam sansads" that when the BJP gets a clear majority a law allowing the construction of the temple will be enacted.

But the BJP government has betrayed the "dharam sansads" and decided to wait for a court verdict, he said.