Uddhav unlikely to attend event due to Covid-19
■ VIP movement should be as less as possible, says Raut
Owing to the coronavirus outbreak in Ayodhya, Maharashtra chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is not likely to attend the “bhumi pujan” ceremony of the Ram temple.
“The situation is critical in Ayodhya and everyone believes VIP movement should be as less as possible. The Prime Minister is going there, we wish him well. The chief minister can go there later any time,” said senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday. Mr Raut’s remarks have come after UP Cabinet minister Kamal Rani Varun succumbed to the virus.
Owing to the coronavirus outbreak in Ayodhya, Maharashtra chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is not likely to attend the bhoomi pujan ceremony of the Ram Mandir in the holy town.
“The situation is critical in Ayodhya and everyone believes VIP movement should be as less as possible. The Prime Minister is going there, we wish him well. The CM can go there later any time,” said senior Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut on Monday.
PM Narendra Modi will perform the bhoomi pujan of the proposed Ram Mandir at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on August 5.Mr Raut’s remarks have come after UP cabinet minister Kamal Rani Varun succumbed to the virus. Earlier, there were reports that 17 people connected with the event — a priest and 16 policemen and security guards — have tested positive for coronavirus in Ayodhya. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who would be present at the function, has also announced that he has tested positive for coronavirus.
“We do not want to bring politics in the ceremony. There is a kind of medical emergency in Ayodhya. It is important that the PM is going there. We will go there later,” he said. Mr Raut reiterated Shiv Sena’s contribution towards the Ram Mandir movement saying his party laid the foundation of the temple construction. “The temple would not have been possible had the Masjid not been brought down. Even the BJP, VHP and the Sangh Parivar have accepted that Sainiks razed the mosque,” he added.
Incidentally, Mr Thackeray had earlier suggested that in the view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the bhoomi pujan ceremony should take place via video link.