Ballia: Stressing that the ruling BJP has not gone back on the Ram temple issue, Union minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said the temple would come up in Ayodhya and "it will be built through other means".
"BJP government has not gone back on the Ram Temple issue... Though it is not in our manifesto but it is the matter of our honour and dignity," Ahir who was here to take part in programme at Duha Bihra village told newspersons on Monday.
"The sadhus and mahants are doing their work in this regard. Hindu and Muslim leaders are also meeting the government," he said, adding "It is decided that whenever it happens it will be temple which will be built in Ayodhya and not Masjid".
When asked further, he said it is not right to keep on talking about Ram Temple issue all the time. "It is however decided that it will be built through other means," he said without elaborating.
The minister said the government which has come with the aim of 'sabka-saath, sabka-vikas' is working for the welfare of farmers and the unemployed.
To a question on differences of the party with Shiv Sena, he said though BJP has 282 MPs it does not have any arrogance and is working together with all its allies.
"Senior leaders are in touch with the Shiv Sena and they will come to understand this soon," the minister said.
When sought his views on the controversial statement of the new chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mufti Mohammad Saeed, Ahir said "Muftiji has to clarify his position...", meanwhile wondering how Pakistan can help establish democracy in India.
He also added that there is no danger to the new government in Jammu and Kashmir and it will complete its term. On questions raised on the Land Acquisition Ordinance of the union government, he said the Bill is in the interest of farmers.
"We have to go to the farmers for votes…how can we work to harm their interests", Ahir asked.
Reiterating that there will be no shortage of gas and fertiliser for farmers, he said a long term plan has been formulated to make the country self-reliant in this area.
"On the lines of China, coal-based industrial units of gas and fertilisers will be set up in the country," he said.
Ahir also said fertiliser industries in UP, West bengal, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh which closed down because of the wrong policies of the previous government, will be revived.
