Like the Maria Theresa dollar, whenever there are elections, the evergreen issue of Ayodhya springs back to centre stage. This, despite the fact that the BJP has consciously put it on the backburner for the sake of the NDA allies. Sometimes the VHP rakes it up, sometimes the sants and at other times someone else. Interestingly, the BJP leaders claim that Ayodhya has never got them votes since 1991 even after the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition.

With the ensuing November Assembly elections looming, Ayodhya is back in focus once again. The Lok Sabha polls are not far behind. There is speculation that if the BJP wins at least two of the four States, which are going to the polls in November, it may opt to go for early polls. The BJP would be happy if Ayodhya is resolved out of court soon. It would be a feather in its cap. For one thing, it will be easier for the BJP to deal with the NDA allies if Ayodhya is resolved. The second thing is that some senior ministers including L. K. Advani, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti, who are charge-sheeted in the Ayodhya case, would also be off the hook once the cases are withdrawn.

The million-dollar question is whether it will be amicably resolved this time. Too many people have attempted to resolve the knotty issue but no one has succeeded so far. The latest effort by the Kanchi Shankaracharya is a bold step and it is significant that the Vajpayee government is rallying behind the seer’s formula. Till the time of writing, nothing definite has developed. While the Muslim Personal Law Board (which many Muslims say has no authority to negotiate the Ayodhya issue as it does not fall within its mandate) has rejected the seer’s proposals, the Shankaracharya seems to be still holding out hope.

The basic factor is that the Kanchi seer has bypassed the two contenders----the VHP and the All India Babri Masjid Action Committee. Both have been kept out of the negotiations this time.

What is the seer’s proposal? The first is the status quo of the disputed site. The site could be protected with a wall till the court verdict. Second is that the NOC from the Muslim Personal Law Board for construction of a temple in the undisputed site be acquired by the Centre. The third is the construction of the mosque outside the parikrama under government supervision. What is not mentioned is Kashi or Mathura, except verbal assurances that the VHP will not raise them. There is also no mention of prayers in the mosques under ASI control although it has been discussed.

Those who have seen the draft also feel that there is ample scope for adjustment between the two parties.

The Kanchi seer’s proposal has the full backing of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani. It suits the two top BJP leaders to resolve the Ayodhya issue for political purposes. The BJP ministers have been making a beeline to Kanchipuram to meet the Kanchi seer. So far, at least half a dozen ministers including Jaswant Singh, Murli Manohar Joshi, George Fernandes and Jagmohan have called on the Kanchi seer.

As far as the Sangh Parivar is concerned, the VHP is softening its tone. First it was totally opposed to the Kanchi seer’s proposal but after the RSS chief’s meetings with the seer, it has changed its view. The VHP had gone to the extent of saying that the Kanchi seer has no standing. The RSS is having its conference in Kerala next week and it will come out with its own Ayodhya policy. RSS Chief Sudarshan has also met the Kanchi seer and the RSS seems inclined to agree with his proposal. After all, the Sangh Parivar has the same goal as the BJP and if the Ayodhya tangle can be solved what better way of winning elections? Therefore, it can now be safely inferred that within the Parivar there can be no problem.

As far as other political parties are concerned, the Congress is important. The Congress Party, which was facing flak after the Babri Masjid demolition, took a different stand earlier. It was for resolution of the issue by negotiation or court verdict. Interestingly, in the past few weeks, it has changed its tune and now insists that it is for only court verdict. The politics behind the change can be easily seen, as the Congress would not like the BJP to take credit for resolving the sensitive issue. The Congress also has the compulsion of facing elections. It has been out of power for eight years now-the longest in its history.