Nothing new in Amit Shah's 'evasive' remark on Ram temple: NCP

The National Communist Party (NCP) on Wednesday dubbed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah's latest assertion on the Ram temple issue as an 'evasive remark', saying he should have instead countered the statements made by the RSS, Hindu Mahasabha and other saffron outfits with regard to this matter.

NCP leader Majeed Memon said that the BJP president had been very ambiguous with his statement as he did not take a particular stand and reiterated what has been said since the past 20 years.

"He said all the communities come together and with a consensus the splendid temple could be built. This was spoken in 1993 also, which he is talking after 23 years. Or alternatively, since the matter is sub-judice before the highest court of the land, the verdict of the court should be followed. This is also not new. This has also been spoken for years. So, what did he say?" Memon told ANI.

"The statements like we will have the splendid temple come what may by the end of this year made by the RSS, Hindu Mahasabha and other saffron outfits. He should have spoken about that. He should have said that what they are saying is wrong. He did not say that. What he has said is something even I would say or anybody else would say," he added.

The BJP president, who was addressing a media briefing in Lucknow yesterday, asserted that Ram Janmabhoomi is a part of his party's election manifesto.

Shah yesterday said that a Ram Temple should be built in Ayodhya either after a consensus or through court's decision.

"We have specified it that the Ram temple should be made on the site either after a consensus or by the directions of court. This is our firm stand," he said.