Congress, BJP Take A Dig At Each Other Over Ram Temple Inauguration Invite

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday came in support of the decision of the Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, president of All India Congress Committee (AICC) Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Adhir Chowdhury not to participate in Ram Lalla installation ceremony on January 22 in Ayodhya while Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa termed the decision of the Congress leaders “unfortunate.”

The Chief Minister, in a statement, said the installation of Ram idol has turned out into a party event by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leaders of Sangh Parivar, showing disrespect to Lord Rama and the Rs 140 crore people of our country. A religious ceremony that should have been conducted with reverence has been converted into a political campaign.

Siddaramaiah said Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is nearing a decade in office lacks confidence to win ensuing Lok Sabha elections by showcasing his achievements instead he rushed to inaugurate the incomplete Ram Temple during the election period to stir up ‘Hindutva’ sentiment and overshadow his failures.

Over the last 35 years, the Chief Minister said the people of the country have observed the political exploitation by BJP and Sangh Parivar in the name of Lord Ram and he believed that the people will not fall for this ‘false Hindutva’ trap again. Siddaramaiah said people are now questioning the accounting of donations collected in the name of bricks for the construction of Lord Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Criticising the move of the Congress leaders, BJP leader and former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said that the stance of Congress leaders had hurt the sentiments of the Hindus and expressed that a day would come when Congress leaders would regret their stance later.