Sharad Pawar's 'Mandir won't cure Covid' puts Shiv Sena in a fix; party says 'no politics'

Shiv Sena has refrained from targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his upcoming visit to Ayodhya for Bhumi Pujan ceremony of grand Ram Temple. Shiv Sena MP and Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Arvind Sawant has said that Lord Ram is a matter of faith for his party and hence y would t indulge in any politics over it.

"Shiv Sena is a leading light of Ram Mandir movement. (Sena president) Uddhav Thackeray had visited Ayodhya before becoming chief minister and even after taking charge," Sawant said.

Shiv Sena, Nationalist Congress Party and Congress are partners in Maha Vikas Aghadi government. Sawant said ensuring health of people and providing m safety are priorities of Sena-led state government, which is concept of 'Ramrajya' (a rule of justice and truth).

"....We are doing precisely this in our ( state government's) fight against coronavirus in Maharashtra," he said.

READ | LK Advani Likely To Go With PM Modi To Ayodhya; Ram Mandir Foundation Stone A Silver Brick

READ | Sharad Pawar On PM Modi's Ayodhya Visit: 'Some Feel Building Temple Helps In COVID Fight'

statement by Shiv Sena leader comes even as Sharad Pawar, Sena's coalition partner, on Sunday while addressing a press conference in Solapur took a jibe on PM Modi by saying "some people think building a temple will help to eradicate COVID-19 pandemic".

" question here is that y need to decide what needs to be given attention and importance. We feel fighting against Corona is important to resolve problem of people facing because of Corona. But some feel that building a temple will help to fight against Corona. I don’t kw fact. But government needs to pay attention to ecomy. Our MPs will raise issue of ecomy," Pawar told reporters.

Pawar's jibe comes after PMO anunced PM Modi's visit to Ayodhya for Bhumi Pujan ceremony. His dig at PM Modi has stoked ar controversy, inviting criticisms by BJP leaders including Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy who lambasted NCP Supremo by terming his comments as "ridiculous" and demanded an apology from veteran politician.

'PM's visit tentatively scheduled for August 5'

According to Trust president Nritya Gopal Das, "Bhoomi Pujan" will be performed with placing of a 40-kg silver brick at sanctum Santorum. Three-day-long Vedic rituals, beginning August 3, will precede main ceremony.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aadityanath will also join "Bhoomi Pujan" ceremony. "I cant tell exact date but we have got information that PM's visit has been tentatively scheduled for August 5," said Triloki Nath Pandey, decree-holder of Ram Janmabhoomi mandated by Supreme Court.

Before "Bhoomi Pujan" ceremony, Vedic rituals will be performed by ss from Varanasi as was done during shifting of idol of Ram Lalla from sanctum sanctorum to a temporary structure, said Mahant Kamal Nayan Das, spokesperson of Trust president Nritya Gopal Das.

READ | Congress Opines 'Nehru Did t Attend Somnath Bhoomi Puja' As PM Modi Fixes Ayodhya Visit