Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said 'We are a government of Ram Bhakts'

In a comment that could ignite a political row, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has declared, "We are a government of Ram Bhakts (devotees)."Speaking on Tuesday evening near Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, the town considered to be the birthplace of Lord Ram, Mr Gadkari said, "From Ayodhya to Chitrakoot, this is a government of Ram Bhakts, of those who chant Jai Shri Ram."The Union Road Transport Minister was speaking at the launch of road projects in the region.He announced that the "Ram-Janki Marg" a road connecting Ayodhya with Janakpur in Nepal - believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram's wife Sita - would be constructed at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore.Mr Gadkari's assertions come at a time the Narendra Modi government is trying to distance itself from controversial comments made by some BJP leaders, which, opposition parties allege, expose a pro-Hindu agenda.Last year, Prime Minister Modi had reportedly asked party MPs not to cross the "lakshman rekha" with their public comments. The ruling party fears that the controversies are diverting focus from the government's development agenda.

The government has denied backing a series of religious conversions by leaders linked to the BJP and its ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. BJP MP Yogi Adityanath has described the conversions as "Gharwapsi' or the homecoming of Hindus whose families had converted to Islam in the past.The party recently sent notice to its MP, Sakshi Maharaj, asking him to explain his comment that Hindu women should "give birth to four children to protect the Hindu religion."