Akhilesh Yadav warns BJP over Ram Temple donation controversy
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the alleged irregularities in the Ram Temple donation drive, stating that Ayodhya will become the BJP's 'Lanka'. The comment comes amid a growing row over the collection and utilization of funds for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Allegations of 'theft' at the grand temple
Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Yadav said he had foretold that the 'theft' at the grand temple would be exposed. 'I had said earlier that the theft at the Ram Temple would be exposed. Now the truth is coming out. Ayodhya will become the BJP's Lanka,' he asserted. The SP chief did not provide specific evidence but referred to media reports about discrepancies in the donation records.
The Ram Temple trust, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, has denied any wrongdoing, stating that all donations are accounted for and audited. However, opposition parties have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.
Political implications ahead of elections
The controversy has sparked a political firestorm, with the Samajwadi Party and other opposition groups accusing the BJP of financial mismanagement. Yadav's remark draws a parallel to the epic Ramayana, where Lanka was the kingdom of the demon king Ravana, symbolizing a place of moral downfall. By invoking this analogy, he sought to portray the BJP as having lost its ethical compass.
The BJP dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. State BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi said, 'Akhilesh Yadav is making frivolous statements to divert attention from his party's failures. The Ram Temple construction is a matter of faith, and every rupee donated is being used transparently.'
Donation drive under scrutiny
Reports earlier this month suggested that a significant portion of the funds collected through the 'Ram Mandir Nidhi Samarpan Abhiyan' had not been deposited into the trust's official accounts. The campaign, which aimed to raise Rs 10,000 crore, has faced questions over the handling of cash donations and the issuance of receipts. The trust has maintained that all funds are being managed properly and that an independent audit will be conducted.
Akhilesh Yadav's statement is likely to intensify the political debate, especially with the upcoming state assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. The Ram Temple has been a central issue for the BJP, and any controversy surrounding it could impact voter sentiment.
