LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s visit to Ayodhya on Wednesday is being seen in political circles as a strategic bid to revive the temple politics in the run up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The CM expressed his government’s preparedness to stand by anyone who wanted to resolve the temple issue amicably through dialogue and mutual consent. “Even Supreme Court wants that,” he said.
While speaking at the birthday celebrations of Mahant Nritya Gopal Das who heads the VHP-backed Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas in Ayodhya on Wednesday, the CM said, “Main janta hoon ki aap kya jaanna chahte hain aur main aapki bhawnao ka samman karta hoon (I know what you all want to know and I respect your sentiments),” he said to the cheering masses.
The CM added that he appreciated many Muslim organisations which had come forward with a number of amicable solutions like relinquishing claim on the disputed site in favour of Ram Lalla.
“Leaders of many such organisations have met me in Lucknow expressing their willingness to renounce the claim on Janmabhoomi in favour of Hindus. Scores have met me today at Digambar Akhada also with the same sentiment,” he stated.
The CM had reached Faizabad early Wednesday and proceeded to Hanuman Garhi temple in Ayodhya where he was welcomed by a large number of local BJP leaders, MLAs, MPs and religious gurus.
After paying obeisance to Lord Hanuman, he proceeded to the makeshift temple of Ram Lalla at the Ram Janmabhoomi complex.
Accompanied by Mahant Dharam Das and a few other leaders, the CM offered prayers to the deity at the makeshift temple under the tent, spending about half-an-hour at the disputed site and later proceeded to the banks of river Saryu.
Mahant Dharam Das is one of the accused in the Babri mosque demolition case. The CM’s touching base with Mahants and religious leaders in Ayodhya gains significance as he decided to visit the temple town just a day after the framing of criminal conspiracy charges against BJP stalwarts like L K Advani, M M Joshi, Uma Bharti, Vinay Katiyar and eight other accused by a special CBI court in the Babri mosque demolition case.
Adityanath also took stock of ‘Ram ki Paidi’ on the banks of Saryu and directed the tourism officials to renovate it and ensure its beautification.
He also asked officials to ensure cleanliness on Saryu banks and proper light arrangements for devotees who want to take a dip in the river.