On BJP's attack over Ram temple issue, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge says the faithful can visit Ayodhya any day

NEW DELHI:

Congress

President

Mallikarjun Kharge

on Friday said that anyone with faith in Lord Ram is free to

visit

the

Ayodhya

temple at their convenience. This statement came in response to the BJP's criticism of Congress leaders for declining an

invitation

to the January 22 Ram temple consecration ceremony, an act Kharge describes as part of "a conspiracy" by the BJP.

Kharge, along with senior Congress figures Sonia Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, have "respectfully declined" the invitation. They accuse the BJP and the RSS of politicizing the temple project for electoral benefits. In response, the BJP has branded the Congress as "anti-Lord Ram".
Addressing the media, Kharge said, "As far as attending the function, those who have faith (aastha) can go tomorrow or the day after. I have made it clear on January 6 itself. It is not correct to attack us and this is a conspiracy of the BJP."

The Congress president insisted that their party has always respected all religions and spiritual leaders. He said that the Congress would not be sidetracked by the BJP's tactics and would instead continue to focus on pressing issues such as inflation, unemployment, and other public concerns.
In a recent post on social media platform X, Kharge reiterated the Congress's commitment to raising significant public issues, highlighting the Modi government's handling of unemployment, inflation, border security, and foreign policy. He said the party's dedication to the welfare of Dalits, tribals, backward classes, and the impoverished, areas he feels the BJP has neglected.

Meanwhile, the BJP has escalated its criticism of the Congress, sharing a post on social media platform X, accusing the Congress of historically opposing Lord Shri Ram. They also released a 35-second video and a poster titled "Ram Virodhi Congress". The video includes a statement by Rahul Gandhi questioning the belief in Lord Ram and criticizes Congress for its stance on various issues related to Lord Ram, including the Ram Setu, the Supreme Court's verdict on the Ram temple, and the recent refusal to attend the consecration ceremony.
The exchange highlights the ongoing political tussle between the two major parties as the nation heads towards the 2024 elections, with religious and public welfare issues taking center stage in the political discourse.