The Congress party on Monday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence over the alleged corruption in the Ram Mandir construction trust and demanded a fair probe into the matter. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Congress spokesperson Shekhar Singh said that the Prime Minister must clarify his stand on the issue and ensure an impartial investigation.
Congress demands PM's response
Shekhar Singh said, "The Prime Minister has not said a single word about the allegations of financial irregularities in the Ram Mandir trust. This is a serious matter that involves public faith and huge donations. We demand that the PM break his silence and order a fair inquiry."
The Congress leader alleged that the trust has been mismanaging funds and that there is a lack of transparency in its operations. He claimed that the trust has collected crores of rupees in donations but has not provided a clear account of how the money is being spent.
Allegations of corruption
Singh further alleged that the trust has been favoring certain contractors and suppliers, leading to inflated costs. He said that the Congress party has written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking a thorough probe into the matter. "We have evidence of irregularities and we want the law to take its course," he added.
The Ram Mandir trust, which is overseeing the construction of the temple in Ayodhya, has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement, the trust said that all financial transactions are audited and transparent. However, the Congress party remains unconvinced and has called for a judicial inquiry.
Political reactions
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said, "The Congress party is trying to create controversy where there is none. The Ram Mandir construction is a historic project and the trust is handling it with complete transparency."
Meanwhile, other opposition parties have also expressed concern over the allegations. The Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party have supported the Congress's demand for a probe. The issue is likely to be raised in the upcoming session of Parliament.
Public sentiment
The Ram Mandir is a sensitive issue for millions of Hindus across the country. The temple's construction began in 2020 after the Supreme Court's verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case. The trust has set a target of completing the temple by 2025. Any allegations of corruption could potentially damage the trust's credibility and public trust in the project.
As the political battle intensifies, all eyes are on Prime Minister Modi's response. The Congress party has given him an ultimatum to break his silence within a week, failing which it plans to launch a nationwide protest.
