Govt's move on Ayodhya land 'historic', Opposition shouldn't obstruct resolution of Ram temple issue, says Amit Shah

New Delhi: BJP chief Amit Shah on Sunday described as “historic” the Narendra Modi government’s move to return the excess land around the disputed site in Ayodhya to their owners, including the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, and asked Opposition parties not to put obstacles in the Ram temple issue’s resolution. Asked about the Ram temple controversy at an event in Delhi, he told reporters that his party wants a grand temple of Lord Ram to be built at the very site, where he is believed to have born, at the earliest and dared Opposition parties to make their stand clear on the matter. He said the central government’s plea in the Supreme Court to return the land is “historic”. [caption id=“attachment_4500793” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of BJP chief Amit Shah. PTI[/caption] It is believed that the return of the land, if allowed by the court, is likely to result in the Ram Janmabhoomi Nyas, which is dedicated to the construction of the temple, starting work on building it, giving a political boost to the BJP ahead of the parliamentary elections as it has long championed the cause. Opposition parties should not put obstacles, Shah added, an apparent reference to the matter pending before the apex court. The BJP has often accused the Congress of using various ploys to delay the judicial resolution. Asked if he believed that the input subsidy for farmers announced by the government is better than farm loan waiver, he answered in the affirmative. The government has announced an annual cash transfer of Rs 6,000 to farmers, a move that will benefit 13-15 crore peasants. Shah said this scheme will help all farmers every year, while a loan waiver programme only helps those who took money from banks, and it helps only once. Almost 60 percent of farmers do not take loans, he added. To a question about whether the BJP will go for holding Assembly elections in states like Haryana and Maharashtra along with the parliamentary elections, he said it is for the two state governments to decide. To a question whether the BJP will give tickets to leaders older than 75 years, Shah said the age bar was only for holding a “position” and the party’s parliamentary board will decide on allotment of tickets. After the Modi government came to power in 2014, the party had decided not to give ministership to those older than 75 years.