Shiv Sena cautions RSS, says 'don't politicise Ram temple issue'

The Shiv Sena on Thursday said the issue surrounding the construction of the Ram temple at Ayodhya should not be politicised.

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, who was reacting to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's assertion that the Ram temple would be built at Ayodhya within his lifetime, asked the right wing organisation to announce the date for the same.

"We also want that the Ram temple should be constructed but they should give a definite timeframe for the same," Raut told ANI.

"The elections in Uttar Pradesh are approaching. If the Ram temple is made a political issue then the people won't forgive us. The people should not be deceived on this matter," he added.

Expressing hope that the proposed Ram temple will be built at Ayodhya in his lifetime, Bhagwat had yesterday said it needs a careful planning.

"The temple will be built within my lifetime.May be, we will see it with our own eyes. None can say when and how the temple will be constructed, but we need to be prepared and ready," Bhagwat said while addressing a programme in Kolkata to pay tributes to brothers Ram Kothari and Sharad Kothari who were killed in police firing while performing the kar seva at Ayodhya in 1990.

"We need to plan it carefully. A good mix of 'josh' (passion) and 'hosh' (sanity) is needed to complete the work which Ram and Sharad had initiated," he added.