Nagpur, Feb. 8 : The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday reiterated its vow to construct the Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya, an issue that has been a flashpoint of tension between Hindus and Muslims for years, if the party is voted to power in the ensuing elections.

The raising of this issue with elections just months away, is likely to queer the pitch between the BJP and its political allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Most constituents in the NDA are reportedly not in favour of bring the Ram Temple issue to the forefront of the campaign out of fears that it might lose the Muslim and secular vote.

"As far as the issue of Ram Mandir (Lord Rama''s temple) is concerned, it is the issue of our faith. No one can shake BJP''s faith and reverence to Lord Rama. We will build the Ram temple in Ayodhya, and we are waiting for the right opportunity," asserted Rajnath Singh, President of BJP.

Hindu hardliners have contended that Muslim invaders built the Babri mosque after destroying a temple that existed at the birthplace of Lord Rama.

After winning the general elections in 1999, the BJP was forced to abandon plans of constructing the temple by its secular coalition allies in National Democratic Alliance under which it ran the federal government until 2004. (ANI)