Don't rest till defeat of BJP govt at Centre: Sharad Pawar urges INDIA bloc parties

Sharad Pawar. File Pic

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Sharad Pawar on Friday urged INDIA bloc, the like-minded opposition parties that have come together to provide an alternative to the BJP-led NDA, not to rest till the incumbent government at the Centre is defeated, reported the PTI.

Addressing a gathering at Mangalwedha town in Solapur district, Sharad Pawar accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of remembering Lord Ram only during elections, as per the PTI.

"Like-minded parties, which have come together to provide an alternative, should not rest till the last day of elections and till the incumbent government, which is misusing power to target political opponents, is brought down," the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder said, according to the news agency.

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Sharad Pawar said that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP and Congress, is talking to the Left parties and Prakash Ambedkar's Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) to stitch up an alliance for the upcoming polls.

Talking about the Ayodhya Ram temple, the former Union minister said that he has received an invitation for the Lord Ram idol consecration ceremony, but it (invitation card) shows only specific political party and organisation are the highlights of the even, as per the PTI.

He said he would visit Ayodhya to offer prayers to Lord Ram once the construction of the temple gets over.

"Lord Ram belongs to the entire country and not a political party," he said.

Sharad Pawar said it was former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, who ordered the opening of the Ram Janmabhoomi and performed 'shilanyas' (foundation stone laying) of a Ram temple in Ayodhya.

As previous speakers at the event referred to his age during their speeches, the 84-year-old leader said, "What is in the age? What is important is ideology."

According to the PTI, in a letter to Champat Rai, general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, Sharad Pawar said that he was thankful for the invitation to attend the 'Pran Pratistha' ceremony at the temple on January 22 but won't be a part of it on that day.

"Maryada Purshottam Shri Ram is a symbol of faith and devotion. Ram bhakts will be attending the ceremony in large numbers through which the happiness will reach me. After January 22, the darshan of Ram Lalla will be easy. I am planning to visit Ayodhya and will also offer prayers to Ram Lalla. By that time, the temple construction will also be complete," Sharad Pawar said.

(with PTI inputs)