Amid a renewed clamour for a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, with conflicting comments from the BJP, NDA constituent Shiv Sena on Friday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reveal his “Mann ki Baat” on the issue.
“Since the BJP is in power at the Centre with a comfortable majority, it must take more concrete steps on the Ram Mandir,” said the Sena. The Sena, in an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamna , warned its ally that if the sentiments of ‘Rambhakts’ were ignored for too long, they could erupt like a volcano.
The Sena’s comments were triggered after BJP Rajya Sabha member Vinay Katiyar raked up the issue on Wednesday. Mr. Katiyar, a key face of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement in the 1990s, suggested in strong words that it was time his party showed definite signs of fulfilling its poll promise of a temple at the disputed site.
Instead of waiting for the Supreme Court verdict, the BJP government should take steps through “legislation or dialogue.” No government could ignore the Ram Mandir issue, he argued.
Mr. Katiyar’s proposal comes just days after BJP president Amit Shah said his party did not have the mandate — according to him, 370 seats — in the Lok Sabha to address core issues.
