BJP to declare Ramasethu "heritage monument"

BJP will declare the Ramasethu as "a heritage monument of historical importance," if a combine-led by the party would be voted to power at the Centre in the coming Lok Sabha polls, L Ganesan party state unit President said on Sunday.

BJP will declare the Ramasethu as "a heritage monument of historical importance," if a combine-led by the party would be voted to power at the Centre in the coming Lok Sabha polls, L Ganesan party state unit President said on Sunday.

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If an alliance comprising of the DMK came to power after the elections, "it will try to demolish" the Ramasethu, he said in a release.

The bridge, believed to have been constructed by Lord Rama, has created controversy as believers opposed its demolition for the construction of Rs 2,400 crore Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project (SSCP).

Crediting former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee for issuing in-principle approval and taking up study for the implementation of the project, Ganesan however said the plan was "altered" after the new government (UPA) took over.

The new plan aimed at demolishing the Ramasethu, he said, and recalled that the Supreme Court directing the Centre to consider alternative route.

"The DMK has assumed the matter as its policy failure and is adamant (in the implementation)," he said at an apparent reference to DMK President M Karunanidhi asking his party workers to inform people on the "roadblocks" created for the project.

"If another alliance comprising of the DMK comes to power, it will try to demolish the Ramasethu. But if a BJP-led combine is voted to power, the bridge will be declared a heritage monument of historical importance," he said.