After BJP setback in Hindi Heartland, 'ally' Shiv Sena takes 'Pehle Mandir, Phir Sarkar' demand to Parliament

Despite the results in the five states indicating the Mandir narrative has not worked, the BJP's 'ally' Shiv Sena has pressed with its Ayodhya Mandir demand this time in Parliament. Shiv Sena MP Anandrao Adsul speaking in the Parliament said that the BJP had failed to keep its election promise of constructing the Ram Mandir. He demanded a law to have the Mandir constructed or get the title suit case on the disputed Ayodhya site in Supreme Court expedited.

Adsul said: "Advani had taken out a Rath Yatra for the Mandir, Atal Bihari Vajpayee's 13 month government became four and half year one. At that time he government had 25 parties so the Mandir did not happen. but today the government is in majority. We have the Ram Mandir in our manifesto, it has been four and half years but unfortunately the government has not made any efforts on the matter. Our alliance with BJP had Hindutva agenda and that will remain the agenda, but we think BJP has forgotten the agenda hence on 25 November, our head Uddhav Thackeray had gone to Ayodhya and reminded the government. Pehle Mandir baad me sarkar yeh he Hindu ki pukar - That is the agenda. We want to tell the government that either bring a law, or have the case in SC expedited. But with the ordinance if the issue arises before the elections then whatever happened in the five states, we are listening and hearing and the government must keep that in mind, this is our request." 

BJP's ally the Shiv Sena on December 10 had said it would not allow Parliament to function during the winter session, starting on December 11 if the government does not bring a bill for the construction of Ram temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya.

"The Shiv Sena has been demanding that the government brings a bill in Parliament for construction of Ram temple. If the government does not do so in the winter session, starting tomorrow, our party would not allow Parliament to function," Khare said after the meeting.

READ: Won't Allow Parliament To Function If Government Doesn't Bring Bill On Ram Temple: Shiv Sena MP

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, during his visit to Ayodhya last month, had said the BJP government at the Centre "may not last" if the temple was not built in Ayodhya and had demanded that an ordinance be brought for the purpose.

Thackeray had said the BJP manifesto for the 2014 general elections stated that possible solutions to the Ram temple issue would be searched while remaining within the ambit of the constitution. 

READ: Government May Not Stay, But Mandir Will Be Built: Uddhav Thackeray Presses For Quick Resolution Of The Ayodhya Issue