Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and stated that the Ram Mandir inauguration ceremony in Ayodhya was solely Modi’s event. During the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, Gandhi expressed his views to the press, highlighting that the RSS and BJP had transformed the January 22nd function into a political platform for Modi. He emphasized that the Congress president’s decision to not attend the function was due to its association with the RSS and BJP.
Gandhi further mentioned that even prominent Hindu authorities had publicly expressed their opinion that the event was politically motivated. Consequently, he explained that it was challenging for them to participate in a function centered around the Prime Minister and the RSS. Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, key figures in the Congress party, declined the invitation for the temple consecration ceremony, accusing the BJP of utilizing it as a “political project” for electoral advantages.
In the meantime, the Uttar Pradesh division of the party adhered to its plan of conducting prayers in the sacred city on Makar Sankranti.
On January 15, Ajay Rai, the Uttar Pradesh Congress chief, along with other party leaders, participated in a religious ritual by taking a holy dip in the Saryu River in Ayodhya.
Subsequently, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the Congress leaders, labeling them as opportunistic individuals who would go to any extent for political gain. However, the opposition party retaliated.
When questioned about the visit of the Congress leaders, Meenakshi Lekhi, a Union minister and BJP leader, remarked, “They are akin to ‘barsati mendak’ (rain frogs). They are capable of doing anything for politics… they have consistently engaged in appeasement politics. Nevertheless, I would say ‘better late than never’.”
She further added, “These individuals, who once dismissed Lord Ram as a fictional character, are now awakening… they have embarked on the right path and should also seek redemption for their past actions.”