M'rashtra: Political slugfest over Ram temple ceremony

Mumbai, July 20 As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to perform the much-anticipated groundbreaking ceremony for the Ram temple in Ayodhya on August 5, a slugfest has erupted in Maharashtra among various political parties.

There even appeared some differences of opinion in the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi comprising the Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party taking potshots at the three-party alliance.

Sena spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said that for the Shiv Sena, Ram temple is a matter of faith and not politics.

"We removed all the roadblocks for construction of Ram Mandir and it is a matter of faith and the larger cause of Hindutva, not for playing politics," Raut said.

To query a whether Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray would travel to Ayodhya, Raut shot back: "Uddhavji always goes to Ayodhya and doesn't need any invitation. He went there before he became CM and even afterwards. We don't go to Ayodhya for politics."

Shiv Sena Mumbai South MP Arvind Sawant pointed out that the party was the first in the country to donate Rs 5 crore towards the temple construction.

"Whether the invitation has come or not, I am not aware, nor is it a matter of prestige for us. Uddhavji will take a decision in the matter," Sawant said.

The party is waiting and watching to see who are invited by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Nyas for the 'bhoomi-pujan' and as Raut sarcastically wondered "what kind of political distancing is maintained".

Raut and Sawant's reactions came after NCP President Sharad Pawar late on Sunday softly expressed his views that "some people think building a temple will help eradicate the Covid pandemic".

"Eradicating the Covid-19 is the top priority of Maharashtra government. The war against the coronavirus is being fought by our doctors in white aprons, who we consider 'Devdoots'

( With inputs from IANS )