NCP backs off as CM Uddhav plans Ayodhya Ram Mandir 'Bhoomi Pujan' visit amid Pawar's jibe

Amid media reports that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray is likely to visit Ayodhya on August 5 for "bhoomi pujan" ceremony to begin construction of a grand Ram Temple, NCP leader Majeed Memon has said that CM Uddhav is "free to follow his faith" ex-Rajya Sabha MP said that Shiv Sena leader is at liberty to go to Ayodhya following his faith, with his statements coming in context of Sharad Pawar's own controversial view on matter.

'Uddhav is free to follow his faith'

Taking to Twitter, Memon said, "CM Maharashtra is at liberty to go to Ayodhya as an individual following his faith. We cant prevent anyone following his faith. As an individual, he is free to follow his faith." Majeed Memon later said that his views were his own, indicating a reluctance to make any comment on relationship between two allies. However, invitation has been sent to Uddhav Thackeray by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust yet.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena refrained itself from commenting on NCP Chief Sharad Pawar's "some people think building a temple will help to eradicate COVID-19 pandemic" statement.

'Sena leading light of Ram Mandir movement'

Arvind Sawant, Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai South, told PTI that Lord Ram was a matter of faith for his party and that it will t indulge in any politics over issue. "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," he said.

Sena, NCP 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.

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Sharad Pawar's statement

Addressing a press conference in Solapur on Sunday, Pawar said, "We are all thinking of how to fight battle against Coronavirus but some people think that Coronavirus will be mitigated by building a temple. But our priority is to see how to improve ecomy which has been affected due to lockdown."

" lockdown has created an ecomic crisis and we want to request State and Central government to pay attention to issue," added Pawar.

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(With ncy inputs)