Ex-Uttarakhand CM Harish Rawat Says Ram Mandir Will be Constructed in Ayodhya Under Congress Rule
Rawat later clarified over his remarks, saying that he intended to say that an environment conducive for the construction of Ram temple would descend after the Congress is re-elected at the Centre.
Dehradun, January 18: Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat made a startling claim on Friday, saying that a Ram Mandir in Ayodhya could only be constructed when the Congress comes to power. The BJP, he said, is a "party of sinners" which will fail to undertake the temple's construction.
Rawat issued the contentious remarks while addressing reporters in Pauri Garhwal. Calling the BJP a party sans "ethics and dignity", he added that they could never follow the path of peace as laid down by "Maryada Purushottam Lord Ram. Kumbh Mela 2019: Devotees Light 33,000 Lamps Daily for Construction of Grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
The statement drew a sharp retort from Rawat's Congress colleague and Leader of Opposition in the Uttarakhand assembly, Indira Hridayesh. Going by Rawat's logic, he said, the temple should had been constructed in Ayodhya in the 10 years of Manmohan Singh-led UPA rule.
Marking a stark contradiction with Rawat, Hridayesh said the party leaders should not make poll promises which cannot be fulfilled. He added that all sections of the society, "including Muslims" are in favour of the temple, but the Congress should desist from making hollow promises.
Rawat later clarified over his remarks, saying that he intended to say that an environment conducive for the construction of Ram temple would descend after the Congress is re-elected at the Centre.
Apart from drawing criticism within the party, the ex-CM was also lambasted by the BJP. Uttarakhand unit president of the party, Ajay Bhatt, said the COngress should be "ashamed" of such statements as it "itself the biggest obstruction" in the construction of Ram Mandir.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 18, 2019 11:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).