Sena slams BJP over Ram temple trust announcement before Delhi polls

Shiv Sena has slammed the centre over the announcement of Ram Mandir trust amidst the heat of Delhi elections. PM had announced the formation of a 15-member trust to construct the temple at Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

Mumbai:A day after the Centre announced the formation of a trust to build a Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Shiv Sena lashed out at the BJP, saying the issue was not expected to be politicised, but its "foundation" has been laid ahead of the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls. Elections to the 70-member Delhi Assembly will be held on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced in the Lok Sabha formation of a 15-member autonomous trust to construct the temple at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

"Modi gave the slogan of 'Jai Shri Ram' just four days ahead of polling for the Delhi Assembly. Will be happy if (the number) goes up by two-four seats with the help of Shri Ram," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' on Thursday said.

"It was expected that the issue of Ram temple will not be politicised, but its 'foundation' was laid for the Delhi Assembly (election) and will be completed on the occasion of 2024 Lok Sabha (polls)," it said in cryptic remarks.

It is expected that a "Ram Rajya" (welfare state) will be realised in a true sense in the country by then, it added. There is criticism that the BJP "brought in" Lord Ram as Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal has caused restlessness in the saffron party ahead of the Delhi Assembly polls, the Marathi daily said.

"This (criticism) is because the prime minister announced the formation of the temple trust four days ahead of polling. It is important that the prime minister made the announcement in the Lok Sabha," it said.

The Shiv Sena said the Supreme Court will have to be thanked first for the prime minister's announcement about the trust, as the apex court had ordered the construction of the temple in November last year.

Read: Ram Mandir trust: CPI questions timing of PM's announcement

The Shiv Sena, which had long campaigned for the temple construction, said how autonomous the trust is going to be will be known only after the appointment of its members.

Recalling L K Advani's role in the campaign, the Shiv Sena said the BJP would not have attained the current position in country's politics had the veteran leader not taken out a 'rath yatra' in the name of Shri Ram (in 1990).

While making an announcement about the trust on Wednesday, the prime minister also said the government has decided to transfer 67.70 acres of land acquired under the Ayodhya Act to the trust. (PTI Report)