NEW DELHI, Feb 9: The Congress party on Monday criticized the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for promising to construct a controversial temple as part of their re-election campaign.

On Saturday, a day after parliament was dissolved, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee vowed to build a temple over the ruins of the Babri mosque, which was razed by Hindu zealots in 1992.

Congress leader Kapil Sibal accused the BJP of doublespeak as it has been highlighting strong economic growth in its campaign for polls, expected in April or May.

"The prime minister is talking about development in the coming polls, but Vajpayee launched his election campaign from Ayodhya," Mr Sibal said. "Vajpayee's agenda is clear. But he should tell his (coalition) partners about it," Mr Sibal said.

"I appeal to you to return our government back to power to complete all the unfinished work, including the construction of a magnificent temple to Lord Ram," Mr Vajpayee told the rally on Saturday.

His deputy, Lal Krishna Advani, made a similar appeal on Sunday at a rally in Gujarat. "We have much more to do for the people and one demand of millions of Indians is for the Ram temple to come up," Mr Advani said.

Political analyst B.G. Verghese of the New Delhi-based Centre of Policy Research did not attach much significance to Mr Vajpayee's remarks, noting that the temple reference was at the end of his speech.

"Vajpayee has to satisfy two constituencies - one that is hardline and the others who are the moderates. If he does not refer to the temple issue, the hardliners would have been upset," Mr Verghese said.

"The prime minister realises instinctively that if he seeks re-election on the temple issue, he is likely to run into trouble and not receive the kind of response from voters across India that he wants," Mr Verghese said. -AFP