Sena will help Modi in temple construction: Raut

LUCKNOW: Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut on Monday said his party would help Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath in the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Raut was in Lucknow on Monday to review preparations for the visit of party president Uddhav Thackeray to Ayodhya on November 24.Thackeray is scheduled to take part in Saryu ‘aarti’ and will offer prayers at the Ram Janmabhoomi apart from meeting saints.

“Shiv Sena does not have any competition with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or any other political party. We are with PM Narendra Modi and UP CM Yogi Adityanath who

want construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya,” Raut said.

“Shiv Sainiks had played a major role in the demolition of the

Babri mosque on December 6, 1992. Had they not demolished the structure, the issue of construction of Ram temple would not have risen now,” he said.

“Former Shiv Sena chief late Balasaheb Thackeray was also an accused in the Babri Masjid demolition case. The BJP is in majority both at the Centre and in UP. The Centre should bring an ordinance to pave way for Ram temple construction,” he said.He said Ram temple was a matter of faith and the court could not decide the issue. “Uddhav Thackeray believes that Ram temple should not be a poll issue. If the temple is not constructed even after majority government at the Centre, the issue should be shelved,” said Raut.

He denied allegations that Thackeray and Shiv Sena members were coming to Ayodhya to create an atmosphere of fear.