Sharad Pawar on PM Modi's Ayodhya visit: 'Some feel building temple helps in COVID fight'

After PM Modi on Sunday finalised August 5 as date to lay foundation stone for BJP's cherished Ram Mandir at Ayodhya's Ram Janmabhoomi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, commented that government must decide its priorities, while addressing a press conference in Solapur. He took a jibe at PM Modi's attendance at event saying 'Some feel that building a temple will help in COVID fight'. Moreover, he added that NCP MPs will remind government to pay attention to ecomy.

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Sharad Pawar: 'Some feel building a temple helps in COVID fight'

" question here is that y need to decide what needs to be given attention and importance. We feel fighting against Corona is important and 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," he said.

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PM Modi fixes Bhoomi pujan date

Earlier in day, Prime Minister's office finalised August 5 as day for 'Bhoomi Pujan' ceremony at Ayodhya. Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had shortlisted August 3 or 5 as likely dates for foundation stone-laying ceremony. Prime Minister Modi, who has been invited as chief guest will lay foundation stone for Ram Mandir on August 5, after which construction will commence. trust has estimated that construction of temple will be completed in 3-3.5 years i.e by 2023 - year of Uttar Pradesh State polls.  

Speaking to media, trust chief secretary - Champat Rai said that 10 Crore families across 4 Lakh localities of country will be contacted for fund collection. Moreover, he added that Larsen & Toubro (L&T) which will construct temple will use Sompura Marbles and has started collecting soil samples to begin foundation work. As per L&T's design drawing, temple is set to be constructed over two floors -spanning  161ft in length, 140ft in width, and 128 ft in height, comprising of 5 domes.

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Ram Mandir Trust formation & meetings

In vember 2019, Supreme Court had ended seven-decade long land dispute, awarding Ram Janmabhoomi land to Hindu parties and offering an alternated land to Muslim parties. Prime Minister Modi had anunced formation of Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Lok Sabha on February 5, with his own former Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra heading construction committee. committee has met several times and has invited PM to lay foundation stone when construction begins. 

Ram Janmabhoomi Trust shortlists August 3 and 5 for foundation stone event; PM to finalise