BJP alliance partner LJP distances itself from Ram Mandir agenda

Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party supremo Ram Vilas Paswan on Sunday distanced his party from BJP's core agenda of Ram Mandir. He clarified that NDA government was formed with the simple objective of development and corruption.

“The Ayodhya issue must be resolved through a court verdict,” the Union Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister told reporters.

This statement by Paswan has come amid the ongoing furore to build Ram Mandir in Ayodhya as Yogi Adityanath’s takes oath as Uttar Pradesh’s next chief minister.

He added that Ram Mandir may be BJP’s core issue for Uttar Pradesh but it has never been one of Central government’s core issues.

Union Minister for Consumer Affairs also reminded PM Modi that NDA government was formed with the idea to curb corruption and develop the nation.

Paswan, whose party—Lok Janshakti—is part of the ruling NDA at the Centre, showered fulsome praise on the Prime Minister for leading the BJP’s campaign in recently held assembly polls in five states, four of which have got a BJP-led government.

The LJP chief drew satisfaction from his party’s decent performance in Manipur where it won a seat and is part of the BJP-led coalition government.

Speaking on the occasion, Paswan’s son and LJP MP, Chirag Paswan, claimed all is not well between RJD supremo Lalu Prasad and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and therefore, mid-term polls in Bihar cannot be ruled out.

With PTI Inputs