Rakesh Sinha, a Rajya Sabha MP nominated under BJP rule, on Thursday announced he would move a private member’s bill for a law to build the Ram temple in Ayodhya and sought the position of the Opposition, particularly the Congress.
The idea appeared to be to force the Opposition to show its hand, keep the temple issue simmering ahead of key state polls and the general election, and test the public mood.
Sangh parivar and BJP leaders have been chorusing a demand for such a law since the Supreme Court this week declined to speed up hearing of the Ayodhya title suit saying it wasn’t a priority.
Sinha, considered close to the RSS, posted tweets saying the temple may not be a priority for the apex court but it was “top priority” for Hindu society.
He said he would move the bill during the winter session. “Will @RahulGandhi @SitaramYechury @laluprasadrjd Mayawati ji support Private member bill on Ayodhya? They frequently ask the date (of temple construction) to @RSSorg @BJP4India, now onus on them to answer,” Sinha tweeted.
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis too waded into the issue, asking the Congress president to clarify whether he would support the government on the Ram temple.
“Now that Rahul Gandhi is visiting temples and claiming to be a good Hindu, he should clarify his position (on the Ram temple),” Fadnavis told a television interviewer.
“If he supports the government, we can go ahead with a consensus since the government doesn’t have a majority in the Rajya Sabha.”
A private member’s bill is brought by a member in his personal capacity. Getting such a bill cleared for introduction in the House involves a tedious process. The foremost requirement is that the subject of the bill lie within Parliament’s legislative competence.
A one-month notice has to be given before moving the bill, unless the Chairperson allows a shorter notice. A draw of lots decides which private member’s bill is selected for introduction.
Since it could be difficult to move such a bill in the winter session, expected to start in December, the intention may be to intensify the debate around Ayodhya to help deflect public attention from the Rafale, CBI and Reserve Bank controversies surrounding the government.
“Will write preface (introduction) of my private member (sic) bill on Ram temple in Ayodhya. Request those asking for date (for temple construction) to send feedback,” Sinha tweeted.
He said he was ready to visit the homes of Rahul and other Opposition leaders to know their “valuable opinion”.