'There Was No Need To Invite PM, Appears To Be Preparations For Elections', Says Sanjay Raut On PM Modi's Ram Mandir Invite

Why PM Modi has only been extended the invitation to the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya scheduled on January 22, 2024, opposition leaders asked on Thursday questioning whether it would become a party event just ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction leader Sanjay Raut

Source : Getty

Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Trust inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to participate in the installation of the Lord Ram idol in Ayodhya on January 22 has garnered reactions from leaders across the nation. While Congress leaders asked whether the event will become a BJP event, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction leader Sanjay Raut said it appears to be a preparation for the 2024 election. Why PM Modi has only been extended the invitation to the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya scheduled on January 22, 2024, opposition leaders asked on Thursday questioning whether it would become a party event just ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

Raut while talking to news agency ANI said, "There is no need to invite the PM. He would go by himself. He is the PM, he would definitely go. Why would anyone leave such a big event? Ram Mandir was supposed to be built. Thousands of Karsevaks have given their lives for it. All Hindutvavadi organisations and parties were involved. Shiv Sena, Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad were there. LK Advani took out a Rath Yatra. It is the result of all of this that Ram Mandir is being built. This is why PM Modi would go and perform prayers but I think that this is the preparation of the elections."

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: On invitation to PM Modi for 'Pran Pratishtha' in Ayodhya on January 22, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut says, "There is no need to invite the PM. He would go by himself. He is the PM, he would definitely go. Why would anyone leave such a big event?… pic.twitter.com/1pfDLc4xT8

— ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2023

Why PM Modi has only been extended the invitation to the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya scheduled on January 22, 2024, opposition leaders asked on Thursday questioning whether it would become a party event just ahead of the Lok Sabha election.

Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath also hit out at the BJP over the invite and said, "They are talking about the Ram Mandir as if it belongs to the BJP. Ram Mandir is our nation's temple. It is a huge symbol of our Sanatana Dharma. Is it any one party's?"

#WATCH | Chhindwara: On invitation to PM Modi for 'Pran Pratishtha' in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024, Madhya Pradesh Congress President Kamal Nath says, "They are talking about the Ram Mandir as if it belongs to the BJP. Ram Mandir is our nation's temple. It is a huge symbol of our… pic.twitter.com/j2KE2YaIss

— ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2023

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM KP Maurya said, "On the invitation of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, PM Modi is arriving in Ayodhya on 22nd January 2024. This is a proud moment for me too, as a Ram Bhakt, as a soldier of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi movement. 22nd January will be a proud day for all Ram Bhakt. Ram Lalla idol is going to be installed here with the respect He deserves, after 500 years. Invaders had demolished the structure. Due to appeasement politics, Lord Ram was called mythical - be it Congress or any political party that opposed the construction of Ram Temple. The reply to all of them is January 22, 2024."

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM KP Maurya says, "On the invitation of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, PM Modi is arriving in Ayodhya on 22nd January 2024. This is a proud moment for me too, as a Ram Bhakt, as a soldier of the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi movement. 22nd January… pic.twitter.com/3nSMAQGbzg

— ANI (@ANI) October 26, 2023

The invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi was confirmed during a meeting between the General Secretary of the Sri Ram Janmbhoomi Trust, Champat Rai, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. 

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi expressed his gratitude, saying, "Jai Siya Ram! Today is a day full of emotions. Recently, the officials of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust came to meet me at my residence. They have invited me to come to Ayodhya on the occasion of the consecration of the Shri Ram Temple. I feel very blessed. It is my good fortune that in my lifetime, I will witness this historic occasion".

जय सियाराम!

आज का दिन बहुत भावनाओं से भरा हुआ है। अभी श्रीराम जन्मभूमि तीर्थ क्षेत्र ट्रस्ट के पदाधिकारी मुझसे मेरे निवास स्थान पर मिलने आए थे। उन्होंने मुझे श्रीराम मंदिर में प्राण-प्रतिष्ठा के अवसर पर अयोध्या आने के लिए निमंत्रित किया है।

मैं खुद को बहुत धन्य महसूस कर रहा… pic.twitter.com/rc801AraIn

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 25, 2023