According to Bharatiya Janata Party president M Venkaiah Naidu, his comments about the construction of a mosque alongside the Ram temple in Ayodhya have been misunderstood.

After a national-level meeting of the party in Hyderabad, BJP general secretary Shivraj Singh Chohan said, "Venkaiah Naidu said he did not make such a statement. What he did say was that the Ram Mandir will be built on the Ram Janmasthan (birthplace of Lord Ram). A mosque can be built in an area where the Muslim brethren reside."

The issue can be settled through courts or dialogue, he said.

Meanwhile, speaking at the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani and Naidu urged party leaders and cadres to prepare for 'Mission 2004' to secure 300 seats in the general election.

Advani said, "We can get another mandate in 2004. Victory is certainly going to be ours."

Chohan, quoting Advani, said there are both positive and negative factors that will help the BJP-led government to retain power in next year.

On the positive side, the good governance provided by the government and its achievements in almost all spheres will ensure the party's victory, according to him.

On the negative side, there is no alternative to the National Democratic Alliance in the country, he said.

Naidu said the party would discuss its strategies to tackle the polls in an organised manner with officer-bearers chosen through consensus.