Shiv Sena has no role in Ram temple movement: Uttar Pradesh Dy CM

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on Sunday denounced Uddhav Thackeray’s push for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, saying that the Shiv Sena has no role in the movement. “The Shiv Sena had no role in the temple movement or even in the Dharam Sabha,” Maurya was quoted as saying by PTI. The remarks of the BJP leader came a day after the Sena chief asked the Narendra Modi-led central government to declare a date for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya – a city believed to be the birthplace of the Hindu deity.

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Earlier in the day, addressing a press conference in Ayodhya, Thackeray said that the BJP government will not return to power if they don’t build Ram temple now. Taking a jibe at the Modi government, Thackeray said that if the court is to decide the fate of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, then the BJP should not use the issue to gain votes in elections and tell the people that it was also a ‘jumla’ (gimmick).

“There is no problem in Uddhav Thackeray catching a glimpse of Ram Lalla... But, had Balasaheb Thackeray been alive, he would have prevented Uddhav from doing whatever he is doing?” the deputy CM of Uttar Pradesh said.

Maurya also rejected former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav’s demand that the Army must be deployed in Ayodhya for VHP’s Dharm Sabha.

“If Akhilesh Yadav is thinking that a 1990-like situation will prevail, then this will not happen under the government headed by Yogi Adityanath. We will provide adequate security to all and take necessary action,” he said.

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Asked about a section of the Muslim community feeling apprehensive about the event, he said, “No one needs to fear (anything). There is peace in Uttar Pradesh. The government has made elaborate security arrangements to ensure that no untoward incident takes place.”

 “A large section of the Muslim community wants a temple at the Ram Janmabhoomi. However, some political parties that indulge in appeasement politics are trying their best to create hindrances,” he added.