In an effort to boost its cadre’s morale ahead of the crucial 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the ruling BJP in Gujarat, on Friday, sought to create a ‘buzz’ in its favour by having Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath pay a visit to the world’s tallest “Statue of Unity”. The statue was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to mark the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31.

But the Yogi parried media queries on building a Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a movement for which is being re-intensified in his state. Accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, he also visited the “Valley of Flowers” near the Statue. He applauded the State Government for building the grand statue as a “befitting tribute” to the towering personality of the Iron Man of India.

Interestingly, soon after Independence in 1947, Sardar Patel, as the first Union Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, had ensured reconstruction of the Somnath Temple in Gujarat, which the Sangh Parivar has been citing as a precedence for the reconstruction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

In the run-up to the October 31 event, the BJP government had invited nearly 15 Chief Ministers but, for some ‘inexplicable reason, none of them turned up. Now, the ruling party is reported to be lining up their visits in the coming weeks and months to create a ‘wave’.

Soon after the mass exodus of non-Gujarati workers recently, Rupani had flown to Lucknow to invite the Yogi for the event. Energy Minister Saurabh Patel had also been sent to Patna to invite Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Other ministers were dispatched to different states with similar invites.

On Friday, Aditya Nath became the first Chief Minister to visit the Statue. Other Chief Ministers are also likely to visit the place.

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