Sena-BJP committed to Ram temple: Uddhav

The BJP-Sena alliance is committed to the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, but the issue finds no mention in the Congress manifesto, Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray said.

"Ram mandir should be constructed... In the manifesto of the (BJP-Sena) alliance, construction of Ram mandir figures... But there is no mention of Ram temple in the manifesto of the Congress," Thackeray said while addressing an election rally in Vidarbha region's Amravati district.

It may be recalled, a few months ago, that Thackeray himself had visited Ayodhya and urged the Modi government to ensure that the Ram temple is constructed at the earliest.

Meanwhile, in an editorial in Saamana, the party mouthpiece, the Shiv Sena hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for strongly rebutting those talking about the separation of Jammu and Kashmir.

"He (Modi) must commit that the PDP, the NC and the NCP won't be part of the NDA after elections even if it is short of numbers," the editorial said.

"Those dividing the country and those supporting them should not get a place in politics in future. If those supporting anti-nationals today sit with nationalists for political reasons, it will be an insult to our jawans," the Sena said.

The editorial said that NC leader Farooq Abdullah has spoken about Jammu and Kashmir having a separate prime minister, it will not be a reality even after 100 generations have passed.

"Abdullah was a minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee's government and the NC was a part of the NDA, adding that his party's policy towards Article 370 and 35(A), both of which give special status to J&K, was age old," it said.

The Sena added that PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has a similar stand on the constitutional provisions for Jammu and Kashmir and she has warned that the state will not remain with India if its special status is revoked.

"Until yesterday, the same person was chief minister with support of the BJP," it stated.