VHP stand on temple issue remains unchanged: Kokje
LUCKNOW: Allaying fears of toning down of the Ram temple movement in Ayodhya, newlyelected international president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje said only the office-bearers, and not the face of the organisation, had changed.
Addressing a joint meeting of the workers of VHP, RSS, Bajrang Dal and the BJP at Karsevakpuram in Ayodhya on Monday night, Kokje said: “Only office-bearers of the VHP have changed, its policies remain the same. Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will be a reality soon.”
When a worker questioned Kokje during the meeting that the VHP was known for firebrand leaders, he replied, “May be I am not able to yell (like previous leaders) or shout, but the tone and tenor will remain the same.” Kokje, 79, was in Ayodhya on April 23-23 after taking over as international president of the VHP on April 14.
Kokje, former governor of Himachal Pradesh, defeated Togadia’s associate and incumbent international president Raghava Reddy. Considered close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he polled 131 votes while Reddy could manage 60.
VHP spokesman Sharad Sharma said Kokje clearly pointed out that his commitment towards the Ram Mandir movement would remain the same.
A senior VHP leader who was present in the meeting said, “It will not be easy for the new president to step into the shoes of leaders like Praveen Togadia.”
He said VHP and Togadia had almost become synonymous.
“Nobody even knew the outgoing international president Raghava Reddy. Togadia was calling the shots in the VHP,” the leader added.
During his visit, Kokje could not meet the president of the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas mahant Nritya Gopal Das as he was not in Ayodhya.
Nritya Gopal heads Mani Ram Das Chhawni Peeth which is spearheading the temple movement.