Sharad Pawar slams PM Modi over 'Babri lock' remark: Temple built with people's money can't be shut

Sharad Pawar

Sharad Pawar, president of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) (SP), criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday for his remarks about the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the opposition Congress party.

Addressing a campaign rally in Ambejogai, Beed district, in favour of NCP (SP) Lok Sabha candidate Bajrang Sonawane, Pawar dismissed Modi's claim that if elected, the Congress will lock the temple. Pawar questioned whether a government could close a temple funded with public funds, noting that the temple in Ayodhya was erected with donations from people all over the country, reported PTI.

"Have you ever heard a government shutting down a temple constructed with people's funds? The country is happy that the Ram temple has come up in Ayodhya. Lakhs of people from all over the country contributed in its construction. But PM Modi says the INDIA alliance will lock the temple if it comes to power. Can such a thing be done?" Pawar asked, per the news agency report.

According to the report, PM Modi, at a rally in Madhya Pradesh, said that he wanted NDA to win 400 seats in Lok Sabha Elections 2024 to ensure Congress doesn't bring back Article 370 in Kashmir and put a 'Babri Lock' on Ayodhya Ram Mandir.

Pawar has criticised Modi's tendency to target political opponents in his speeches, claiming that rather than focusing on his accomplishments and future goals, Modi spends a substantial amount of time insulting his opponents. He slammed Modi for often using the phrase "shehzada" to refer to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, claiming that it was disrespectful to Gandhi and his family, whose contributions to the nation are substantial and should be recognised.

"Modi is frequently coming to Maharashtra as he knows the state is voting against him, going by the vote percentage in the first two phases. So, instead of talking about what he did in the last 10 years and what he proposes to do in the future, he devotes a major part of his speeches to belittle political rivals," the veteran leader asserted and added, "Rahul Gandhi has travelled through the length and breath of the country to meet people, understand their issues and to work for a better tomorrow. But Modi calls him 'shehzada' and attacks his family, whose contribution to the nation will never be forgotten."

Pawar emphasised that the opposition INDIA alliance is dedicated to delivering strong leadership for the country following the Lok Sabha elections. Beed is one of eleven Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra that will go to the polls in the fourth phase on May 13, the report added.