Sena targets BJP over Ram temple issue

In the run-up to the crucial polls in five states, the Shiv Sena on Tuesday warned that the BJP would be thrown out of power if it does not construct a Ram temple at Ayodhya.

“Ram mandir banao, nahi toh ram nam satya hai,” read the headline of an editorial that appeared in Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' and its Hindi tabloid version 'Dophar ka Saamana' on Tuesday.

“When the BJP came to power at the Centre and Uttar Pradesh, we believed that the Ram temple will be constructed soon in Ayodhya but nothing happened,” the editorial stated.

“When committed people like the prime minister (Narendra Modi) and Uttar Pradesh chief minister (Yogi Adityanath) are in posts, why is there a delay?” the editorial stated.

The editorial comes ahead of the Dusserah rally that would be addressed by Sena president Uddhav Thackeray.

“The Ram temple issue has been reduced only to a poll promise and therefore, has become a topic for ridiculing Hindutva," the editorial said.

It may be recalled that recently, Ram Janmabhoomi Trust chief Janmejay Sharanji Maharaj met Uddhav at the party’s headquarters in Dadar.

At the Dusserah rally, Uddhav, the son of late Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray, is expected to announce the date of his Ayodhya visit.