BJP MLA uses Ayodhya land row to snub Shiv Sena

If Shiv Sena doesn't believe in the Ram temple trust, they can ask for their money back, says BJP MLA

Atul Bhatkhalkar

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed Shiv Sena over party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut's remark over the allegations of corruption in the land purchased by the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust in Ayodhya.

Following the allegations, Raut demanded that the trust formed for the construction of the temple should clarify and stated that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat should also speak out as the Ram temple is a matter of faith.

However, reacting to Raut's remark that even Shiv Sena had contributed Rs one crore to the Trust, BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar said that Sena should ask them to return the Rs 1 crore.

"People have made donations to the temple with faith and the money is accounted for. If Shiv Sena doesn't have faith, they should demand the return of Rs 1 crore," said Bhatkhalkar.

He also added that the construction is not dependent on Shiv Sena.

In another tweet, the MLA said that Sena should now think about 'Hazrat Tipu' and the Sangh Parivar and Hindu samaj are there to think about the Ram temple.

AAP's Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh has alleged that the land worth Rs 2 crore was bought at an inflated price of Rs 18.5 crore by Shriram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai.

However, refuting the allegation of fraud, Rai has termed the charges as 'misleading and motivated by political hatred'.