Ram Mandir issue: Govt would act on basis of SC verdict, says Paswan

Bengaluru: Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said on Monday the NDA government would act on the Ram temple issue on the basis of the Supreme Court verdict and not on pro-Ram Mandir rhetoric of saffron leaders.

The Lok Janshakti Party leader said there was no question of relations between his party and BJP souring over the issue as the government would act on basis of the apex court verdict.

Also, Prime Minister's politics revolves around development, not around controversial issues such as Ram Mandir, Babri Masjid and Common Civil Code among others, Paswan said here.

"In the last one-and-half years of Modi's rule, the Prime Minister has not even once spoken about Ram Mandir, Babri Masjid, Common Uniform Civil Code and Article 370, among others.

"His only aim is that there should be development in the country... how to solve the unrest among the youth, and strengthen the image of India, internationally, which no other Prime Minister could do as better as Modi," he said.

To a question, he said: "There is no question of Modi's image taking a beating and relations between LJP and BJP souring over the Ram Mandir issue because the NDA government will act on SC's verdict, not on pro-Ram Mandir rhetoric of saffron leaders including Pravin Togadia."

Replying to a query, Paswan said Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi does not have the moral right to demand capping of taxation percentage in the GST Bill because they did not do anything on it during the decade-rule of the UPA.

Paswan said Congress was misusing the strength of numbers in the Rajya Sabha to stall the GST Bill.

"The Bill should have been passed last year. They (Congress) are enjoying majority in Rajya Sabha, and they are misusing this position to their advantage. This is not good."

Asked whether the GST dilemma is spoiling the image of Modi or Congress, he said more than the image of Congress, the image of the country has taken a massive beating.

"The image of Congress has taken a beating big time, but the biggest damage has been done on country's image."