The contentious issue of Ram temple was suddenly back in the political discourse in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, a day ahead of Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma’s visit to Ayodhya on Tuesday to inspect the proposed site for setting up a Ramayana musuem, a move seen as an attempt to woo pro-Hinduvta elements.
BSP supremo Mayawati criticised the move, saying it was being made for “electoral benefits”.
The land for the proposed museum has been provided by the Uttar Pradesh government.
“Linking religion with politics and electoral gains by these governments is condemnable…had they really been so concerned about these issues, they would have thought about them long ago,” Mayawati said.
Congress leader and former Union minister RPN Singh accused the Modi government and BJP of invoking Ram months ahead of the assembly polls due early next year for deriving political mileage out of it.
“We shouldn’t be surprised. Every five years we see the same drama unfolding. Whenever polls are in the state, they talk of Ram, Ram temple, Ram sangrahalaya. They repeatedly raise these issues,” he said.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks of development but what about action….When there is election, he goes to Lucknow to participate in Dussehra festivities and chants ‘Jai Shri Ram’. Did he say Jai Shri Ram during Dussehra events last year wherever he went?” he said.
The proposed museum revived the demand for construction of Ram temple, with BJP leaders like Union Minister Uma Bharti and Vinay Katiyar pitching for it.
