In an indirect jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Ram temple matter, Shiv Sena said that the former has been raking up the issue keeping in mind the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. The Shiv Sena remarked that even Lord Ram might not be viewing these developments too seriously. It wanted to know what happened to the stones that had been carved in the last 20 to 25 years..Calling for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, the Sena sarcastically remarked that lord Ram is living like an outcast and has to live in a tent-like mandir at the disputed site. The Sena further stated that wholesale tents construction of a temple is necessary but it is not necessary to keep carving stones for it endlessly. It added that those in power (the BJP) should be ashamed of this situation. “Those who have come to power and are holding important posts with the blessings of Ram should ensure that his exile period ends,” the editorial saidThe Sena said as the UP polls near, stones for the construction of a temple start arriving at the site and the issue is raked up once again. The Sena said it wanted the government to declare the date for the completion of the temple, start construction and stick to the deadline.

In an editorial of party’s mouthpiece Saamana, the Sena has stated that if talks with Pakistan can happen politely, then why not the construction of the Ram mandir Terming the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya as “national work,” the Sena, in said those who had come to power with “lord Ram’s blessings” should end his exile and be “ashamed” of the current situation of the disputed site. Lashing out at those consistently raking up the issue before the UP Assembly polls, the Sena stated that it is high time that a date be set for the construction of the temple. It added that this has always been the situation whenever the Assembly elections were approaching.