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Strong differences have surfaced between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and ally, the Republican Party of India (RPI) in Maharashtra, over the latter’s inclusion of contentious issues, including the Ram Temple, Article 370 and the Uniform Civil Code, in the election manifesto.
The RPI, which is a member of the Maha Yuti (grand alliance) led by the Shiv Sena and the BJP in Maharashtra, has categorically said that the BJP should have not raked up these controversial issues in the run up to the general elections. Instead, the BJP should have continued to seek votes on the development plank.
“It is the BJP’s agenda. As a key ally in the Maha Yuti, the RPI will oppose the inclusion of these issues in the common minimum programme of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government at the Centre. I strongly feel that the BJP should have not resorted to old issues. However, it seems the BJP has taken up these issues to reach out to its traditional vote bank,” RPI chief Ramdas Athavale, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha from the BJP quota in Maharashtra in February this year, told Business Standard.
He recalled that the Allahabad high court had given a judgement suggesting the construction of Ram temple and a mosque in the premises of disputed site.
Athavale's announcement comes after the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party in the state have attacked BJP for showing its true colour by raking up Ram temple and other controversial issues.
Athavale, who left Congress-NCP alliance to join the Maha Yuti two years ago, however, noted that his party was totally against dividing the country on lines of religion, caste but it was in favour of unity as propogated by BR Ambedkar in the Constitution of India.''It is a time to maintain social fabric and communal harmony is the need of the hour,'' he opined.
Athavale, who enjoys rapport especially among nearly 10% of total dalit population in Maharashtra, said it was not a time to seek votes by dividing hindu and muslim or dalits.
''Instead the objective should be how the country can prosper and grow further. I reiterate that RPI will oppose BJP's move to include Ram Temple, Article 370 and Common Civil Code in the NDA's common minimum programme,'' he added.
Further, Athavale said Narendra Modi as prime minister should give priority for economic equality, political reforms, unity and integrity of the country.
