Stop political drama over Ram Temple: Sena tells PM

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Monday said that lack of political will was delaying construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should stop doing political drama over the issue while keeping a gun on shoulders of the Congress. This was the reaction to Mr Modi blaming Congress for pressure on Supreme Court over Ram Mandir issue.

“Building a Ram temple is not Congress’s promise. It is Bharatiya Janata Party’s promise. We went to Ayodhya for Ram Temple. We had no political agenda in mind. Mr Modi spoke on the issue after so many years. This is the success of our tour,” Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece Saamana on Monday.

Shiv Sena also slammed the PM for trying to divert public attention from the Ram Mandir issue by bringing the Gandhi family’s name into it.

“Those who were sleeping on the issue have awakened now. They are blaming the delay in the construction of Ram Temple on one family. But Mr Modi should stop this. Bringing the Gandhi family in each and every issue should be stopped now. People gave power to you and not to the Gandhi family. Building the Ram Temple is your responsibility,” the editorial said.

“Did demonetisation not happen despite opposition from the Congress? Did you not form government in Jammu and Kashmir with (People’s Democratic Party chief) Mehbooba Mufti despite hurdles from the Congress? Then what is the hurdle in (construction of) Ram temple?” Sena asked.

Taking potshots at Mr Modi for his “56-inch chest” remark made during the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the  editorial said that the Congress did not have the courage to build the Ram temple, so it was thrown out of power, and a man with a “56-inch chest” was given the keys to the administration.

“Yet, if you see the Congress in water, on land and in air, people will once again have to measure your chest size. If Ram continues to stay in ‘vanvaas’ (exile) then stop your political ‘nautanki’,” the Sena said.

During the 2014 Lok Sabha poll campaign, Mr Modi had said that a “56-inch chest” was needed to tackle Pakistan, terrorism and other tough issues.

Saamana editorial also said that Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray’s visit to Ayodhya has fulfilled one objective — those who were sleeping over the issue have at least opened their eyes and understood that ‘jumlebaazi’ (rhetoric) will not work as far as the Ram Temple is concerned.

Shiv Sena also raised a question over ‘Dharma Sansad’ called by Vishwa Hindu Parishad. “What will happen by calling Dharma Sansad? You bring the law. Why to worry about non existent Congress? Those who would oppose the building of Ram temple will vanish from politics. So, Mr Modi should work instead of blaming,” the editorial said.

Mr Thackeray had offered prayers at the Ram Lalla Temple in Ayodhya on Sunday.