Shinde not visiting Ayodhya today, ‘will go with entire cabinet soon’
Speaking to reporters after the launch of annual Tata Marathon in Mumbai, Shinde said, “Ayodhya is a matter of faith and pride for us all. Hence we all decided that instead of only two or three of us visiting the temple, we all in the cabinet, our MLAs and MPs and all those who believe in Lord Ram will go together to Ayodhya soon.”
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Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde (Express File Photo)Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday said that he will not be attending the Ram Temple inauguration in Ayodhya on Monday and instead, will visit the temple soon with the entire cabinet.
Speaking to reporters after the launch of annual Tata Marathon in Mumbai, Shinde said, “Ayodhya is a matter of faith and pride for us all. Hence we all decided that instead of only two or three of us visiting the temple, we all in the cabinet, our MLAs and MPs and all those who believe in Lord Ram will go together to Ayodhya soon.”
Shinde received the invitation for the consecration ceremony at Ayodhya by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, too, had received the invitation. While the date has yet not been fixed, the CM said the entire cabinet will visit Ayodhya in the coming days.
Adding that the entire state is excited to witness the consecration ceremony at Ayodhya, Shinde said, “All our ministers and MLAs will clean each and every temple in state. We will be lighting the lamp in the evening at every house, road and lane. All administrative buildings will be decorated. Everybody will be a part of this celebration across the state.”
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said, “The Chief Minister and I received invitation for attending the consecration ceremony… Yesterday (Saturday) the Chief Minister told me that instead of two of us going, we will take the entire cabinet to Ayodhya on a later date. Others not getting an opportunity will not be appropriate…”
Meanwhile, Shinde also appealed to Maratha activist Manoj Jarange Patil to call off his march to Mumbai. Patil began his march demanding Kunbi (OBC) status to Marathas towards Mumbai from Marathwada on January 20.
The state government is committed to give reservation to Marathas and has taken positive steps, Shinde said, adding, “We appeal that since the government is positive on their demands, the protesters should also respond positively. We have accepted many of their demands. They should call off the protest as it will impact the common public.”
Shinde said that the government has given directions to state Backward Class Commission to collect the empirical data and over 1.50 lakh people are working on this project. “The report will do justice to Marathas. The state government is also organising a special session of the legislature in February when the community will be given reservation,” he said.
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