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.

Published : Feb 6, 2020, 12:35 PM IST

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)

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.

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.

ZCZC
PRI GEN NAT
.MUMBAI BOM4
MH-SENA-AYODHYA
Sena slams BJP over Ram temple trust announcement before Delhi
polls
Mumbai, Feb 6 (PTI) A day after the Centre announced
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
sarcastically.
"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 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 construction of the
temple in November last year.
It also thanked Modi for discharging his duty as the
prime minister in the light of the Supreme Court order.
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.
It said the trust should have representation of all
the organisations which campaigned for the temple
construction, if it is an "autonomous body".
The Uddhav Thackeray-led party said it was active in
the campaign for temple construction from day one.
"The BJP itself had then admitted that the Shiv
Sainiks landed hammers on the Babri (mosque) and the (then)
Shiv Sena chief (late Bal Thackeray) said he was proud of the
Shiv Sainiks who brought down the Babri," it pointed out.
Hundreds of Shiv Sainiks "laid their lives" in the
violence after the Babri mosque demolition, it claimed.
"Those who gave the slogan of 'Jai Shri Ram' should
keep this in mind," it said.
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).
The construction of Ram temple had been part of the
BJP's poll manifesto for years, and it was expected that the
promise would be fulfilled when the Narendra Modi government
was formed at the Centre in 2014 will full majority, it said.
During the previous term of Modi government, the Shiv
Sena - a partner of the BJP till last year - called for
bringing an ordinance for temple construction, but the
government did not do so, the editorial recalled.
"Eventually, hearing took place in the Supreme Court
on the Ram temple issue for 40 days in a row and the it gave
verdict in favour of the Ram temple (construction)...the trust
is being formed due to that court order," it said.
"It is binding on any government to implement the
courts order. Prime Minister Modi followed that order," the
Marathi publication added.
While making 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 ENM
GK
GK
02061147
NNNN

For All Latest Updates

TAGGED:

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.

Quick Links / Policies

Get Us On

Featured

Shyam Benegal: A Unique Voice of Indian Cinema

Kashmir’s Cosy Love Affair With Kangri, The Ultimate Winter Darling Beating Modern Gadgets

Exclusive | Sania Mirza: "I Was Not Put On The Earth To Just Hit Tennis Balls"

Bride, Groom, Spy: Indians Hire Wedding Detectives To Verify Prospective Spouse, Sons Or Daughters-in-law