Seeking to revive the Ram temple issue after a long hiatus, new Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh Thursday appealed to Muslims to take the initiative to enable the construction of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya.

"The Ram temple issue should be resolved. It is a national and cultural issue. I appeal to the Muslims to take the initiative to enable the construction of a grand Ram temple at Ayodhya," he said in an informal chat with reporters in New Delhi.

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Drawing parallel between the broken Wailing Wall of King Solomon's temple and its importance to the Jewish people over the centuries, he said, "I feel pity for the people who talk of constructing a hospital, a library or a memorial at the disputed site. A nation can remain united only on its cultural values. The way culture can inspire, no hospital or educational institution can," he said.

On the issue of ideological deviation, he said, "There is no question of deviating from the ideological journey we began."

Asked whether he too would undertake a Rath Yatra like his predecessor Lal Kishenchand Advani, Singh said, "The party will decide if some important issue is there. Yatras are undertaken to create mass awareness and under the United Progressive Alliance, there is no shortage of issues."

He said talks are on for firming up an alliance in Assam, but declined to divulge details.Assembly polls.