Hindustan Times (Lucknow)

Togadia announces new political party

- HT Correspond­ent letters@hindustant­imes.com

LUCKNOW : President of the Antarrasht­riya Hindu Parishad (AHP) announced to form a political party and declared himself a candidate for the post of Prime Minister in Ayodhya on Tuesday. Togadia, however, did not declare party’s name and promised to announce it soon. Addressing AHP workers at the bank of river Saryu, Togadia said: “I will declare India a Hindu Rashtra the day I form the government at the Centre.”

LUCKNOW President of the Antarrasht­riya Hindu Parishad (AHP) Praveen Togadia announced on Tuesday formation of a political party and declared himself a prime ministeria­l candidate.

Togadia, however, did not spell the party’s name and promised to announce it soon. “Soon, I will announce party’s name and will also come up with a manifesto,” said Togadia.

Addressing AHP workers at the banks of Saryu in Ayodhya, Togadia said: “I will declare India a Hindu Rashtra the day I form a government at the Centre.”

He also said constructi­on of Ram temples at all the three places - Kashi, Mathura and Ayodhya – will also start simultaneo­usly.

The AHP president also said that he had not formed the party to divide Hindu votes but for formation of a Hindu government.

Meanwhile, activists of the AHP clashed with cops when they were prevented to proceed towards Ramkot for ‘parikrama’ in Ayodhya. Togadia and the district administra­tion had reached an agreement on Monday night that instead of Ramkot parikrama, the AHP chief will be allowed to hold a public meeting at the Saryu ghat.

However, AHP activists, who had reached Ayodhya from all across the country, were not apprised about this agreement with the district administra­tion.

On Tuesday afternoon, when the AHP activists reached the Hanumangar­hi tri-crossing for the parikrama, cops prevented them from moving ahead by putting up barricades.

But the activists pushed their way towards Hanumangar­hri. For around half-an-hour, the AHP workers clashed with the cops, forcing shopkeeper­s to pulled down their shutters.

It was only after Togadia reached there and announced to hold a public meeting at Saryu ghat that the agitators relented and situation could be normalized.

 ?? HT ?? AHP president Praveen Togadia addressing workers in Ayodhya on Tuesday.
HT AHP president Praveen Togadia addressing workers in Ayodhya on Tuesday.

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