BJP says Amit Shah didn't speak on Ram temple
New Delhi, July 14 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday denied that its President Amit Shah had made any statement in a Hyderabad meeting on Ram temple in Ayodhya even as AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi questioned him for speaking on the sensitive issue that is being decided by the Supreme Court.
"Yesterday in Telangana, BJP President Amit Shah did not make any statement on the issue of Ram mandir as being claimed in certain sections of the media. No such matter was even on the agenda," the BJP said in a tweet.
The Babri Masjid-Ram Janambhoomi dispute is in the Supreme Court.
All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Owaisi on Saturday said it was better if the Ayodhya judgment came after the 2019 general elections as it would influence the election outcome.
In a tweet he questioned Shah's speech in Hyderabad, asking him if he was "going to write the judgment when the Supreme Court is deciding the title dispute and whether Masjid is essential feature of Islam".
"It is better if the...judgment (is) given after parliamentary elections for free and fair (polls)," Owaisi said.
Shah on Friday held a meeting of party leaders in Hyderabad after which BJP National Executive member Perala Sekharjee briefed the media about it.
Quoting Shah from the meeting, Sekharjee said that steps would be taken to clear the decks for launching construction of the temple before the polls.
"Considering the developments, I believe that construction of Ram temple will begin before the coming general elections," Sekharjee quoted Shah as saying.
The BJP had also released a statement in Telegu about Shah's meeting indicating he spoke about the Ram temple issue.
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Cyclone Fengal: Pondy govt issues heavy rain alert to residents via SMS
Puducherry (PTI): Puducherry experienced heavy rains on Saturday morning prompting the union territory administration to send SMS alerts to around 12 lakh residents cautioning them to remain vigilant as cyclonic storm Fengal is expected to make landfall near here later in the day.
District Collector A Kulothungan told PTI that all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that people remained safe.
"We have evacuated people from low lying areas and shelter homes are ready to accommodate them. Arrangements were also made to supply food packets," he said adding that National Disaster Relief Force from Arakonam has arrived to engage in relief and rehabilitation works.
According to the official, cyclone Fengal was expected to cross the coast in the evening. Control rooms have been opened in the collectorate and also in the line departments.
Toll free numbers 112, 1077 and also WhatsApp number 94889 81070 have been put in place to help people facing crisis to contact for help.
Cyclone Fengal is likely to cross between Karaikal and Mahabalipuram coasts close to Puducherry, official sources said. The government has advised people to stay indoors.
The entire stretch of beach road and also several tourist spots were closed to ensure that there was no movement of the people near the sea shore.
Schools and colleges remained closed today.
