Government seeks solution to Ramjanmbhoomi dispute through talks: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath in Ayodhya

• Governments always did politics on the dispute and ignored the development of the holy city Ayodhya, says Yogi Adityanath
• Muslim groups from Lucknow have come forward in recent days with a proposal to hand over the Ramjanmbhoomi to Hindus
• Adityanath is the first Chief Minister of UP to pray at the Ram Janmabhoomi since 2002

Ayodhya, May 31, 2017: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said his government seeks a harmonious solution to the Ramjanmbhoomi dispute within the ambit of law through talks, after he visited Ayodhya and offered prayers at the makeshift Ram temple here.

Adityanath's visit was the first by an Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister to the site in 15 years, and it was also his first to the town after taking charge.

Speaking at a public meeting here, Adityanath said that while other governments always did politics on the dispute and ignored development of the holy city, his government is concerned about its all-round development.

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"We will try for an amicable solution to the Ayodhya Ramjanmbhoomi dispute, within the ambit of law. The dispute should be resolved by dialogue," Yogi Adityanath said.

The Chief Minister said he is happy to see that many Muslim groups from Lucknow have come forward in recent days with a proposal to handover the Ramjanmbhoomi to Hindus.

"I hope that a harmonious solution is found. Especially now since the Supreme Court has also expressed its willingness in that direction," he said.

Adityanath also held a meeting with the administration for two and half hours and participated in the birthday celebrations of Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, chief priest and head of the Ramjanmabhoomi Nyaas, which led the Ram temple movement in the 1990s.

He also offered prayers at Hanuman Garhi temple and Sarayu ghat.

The Chief Minister announced development fund of Rs 350 crore for fixing the drainage system, renovation of ghats of Sarayu river, staging of 'never ending' Ramlila for the pilgrims and beautification of the temple town.

Adityanath also instructed to start daily Sarayu Arti on the lines of Ganga Arti in Varanasi.

"Earlier governments neglected Ayodhya and felt ashamed of working for its development. They even tried to restrict the Churasi Kosi Parikrama… We will begin all these…We will change everything now and provide all facilities to pilgrims visiting Ayodhya," the Chief Minister said.

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He said his government is coming up with similar schemes for Mathura, Varanasi and other places of religious importance.

"I went to Hanuman Garhi, Ram Janmbhoomi and Sarayu ghat, and suggested that we improve the ghats and beautify the Ram ki Pedi area… We'll also see to it that the city drains do not pollute Saryu river, and for that we will build a Sewage Treatment Plant," he said.

Adityanath is the first Chief Minister from the state to pray at the Ram Janmabhoomi since 2002.

Adityanath's visit comes a day after a CBI special court in Lucknow ordered framing of criminal conspiracy charges against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) veterans L.K. Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Union Minister Uma Bharti along with nine others in the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition case.

Officials, however, told IANS that there was no link between the court proceedings and Adityanath's visit to Ayodhya and said that it was pre-scheduled.

On Tuesday, the BJP Chief Minister had called on BJP veterans Advani, Joshi and Bharti, ahead of their court appearance. (IANS)