Even Pakistan was not expecting it, he said while speaking at a press meet organised by Nagpur Union of Working Journalists (NUWJ) on Monday.

Singhal endorsed the views expressed by Field Marshal Manekshaw on the issue of crossing the Line of Control (LoC). He said India should have crossed the LoC in a limited way by telling the world that it was necessary for strategic reasons. Singhal did not spare the multi-national companies operating in the country for refusing to contribute to the National Defence Fund in the wake of Kargil crisis.

Replying to questions on the Ayodhya issue, Singhal said the Ram temple at Ayodhya would be erected in about two to two-and-half years whether its construction wasincorporated in the agenda of the BJP-led alliance or not. Stone-cutting would be completed in one-and-half-years and the temple construction would be completed one year later, he added.