The stage is all set for the grand opening of the Ram Temple inauguration, but the invitations for Ram Lalla idol consecration stirred up a massive controversy after the Congress 'respectfully declined' attendance. A war of words has begun since Congress announced its decision to not attend the event on January 22.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior leaders, including former PM Manmohan Singh, former president Sonia Gandhi and LoP in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, will not attend the Ram idol consecration event to be held in Ayodhya on January 22, said a party communique.
General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, CPI Rajya Sabha MP Brinda Karat, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee will also not attend the event, reported ANI.
According to sources, invitations for the Ayodhya event have not been sent to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackrey. Other I.N.D.I.A bloc leaders, such as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, BSP supremo Mayawati, and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, are reported to be indecisive on attending the event.
Meanwhile, Congress has alleged that the ruling party has made the Ram Mandir event a ‘political project’. “We do not want to involve God or Lord Ram in politics. They [BJP] will do anything to win the elections, and that's why they are holding the (pran pratistha/consecration) ceremony before the Lok Sabha elections," Congress leader Dr Shama Mohd said.
"The invitation has been sent to the leaders of Congress and BJP. Veteran LK Advani will attend the event," VHP leader Alok Kumar said in a presser.