New Delhi: A seer of Hanumangarhi Mandir, Mahant Sanjay Das, on Tuesday invited Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to stay on the Ayodhya temple premises after he was asked to vacate the government bungalow allotted to him following his disqualification as a member of the Lok Sabha, news agency PTI reported.
Gandhi was recently served a notice to vacate the bungalow after he was convicted by a Gujarat court in a criminal defamation case and awarded a two-year sentence.
As per the notice, the allotment of his government bungalow will be cancelled with effect from April 24.
"We, the seers of Ayodhya, welcome Rahul Gandhi to this pious city, we offer him our place to reside," PTI quoted priest Sanjay Das as saying.
Talking to PTI, Das said if Gandhi wants to come and live in the Hanumangarhi campus, he is most welcome.
"Rahul Gandhi must come to Ayodhya and visit Hanumangarhi and offer prayers here. There are many such ashrams in the campus area of Hanumangarhi, he should come and stay in our ashram, we will be happy," he added.
Mahant Sanjay Das is heir to the prestigious seat of Mahant Gyan Das, the elderly seer of Hanumangarhi. Sanjay Das is also the national president of the Sankat Mochan Sena.
The "offer" was interpreted by some as an expression of support for the Congress from a mahant of a temple in a BJP bastion.
In a letter to the deputy secretary, MS Branch, Lok Sabha Secretariat, dated March 28, Rahul said he owes the happy memories of his time spent at the bungalow to the mandate of the people.
Rahul further stated that he will abide by the direction to vacate the government-allotted property.
"As an elected Member of Lok Sabha over last four terms, it is the mandate of the people to which I owe the happy memories of my time spent here. Without prejudice to my rights, I will, of course, abide by the details contained in your letter," Rahul tweeted.
Congress workers held protests in different parts of the country following his disqualification as MP.