BJP accuses Congress of 'appeasement,' links Ayodhya snub to Nehru's legacy

BJP has launched a scathing critique against the Congress party for declining the invitation to the Ram Temple event scheduled for January 22 in Ayodhya. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi accused the Congress of rejecting the invitation for the "sake of appeasement," asserting that the party has consistently opposed Hindu beliefs, especially concerning the Ram Temple.

Karnataka BJP leader CT Ravi further drew a historical parallel, claiming that Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, and a Congress stalwart, had refused to visit the ancient Somnath Temple in Gujarat, emphasizing the party's historical stance against Hindutva.

BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi contended that the present Congress is reflective of Nehru's legacy, not Mahatma Gandhi's, citing the party's decision to abstain from the 'pran pratishtha' ceremony as evidence of its opposition to Hindu religion and Hindutva. The Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, were invited to the consecration ceremony but declined, accusing the BJP and RSS of attempting to gain electoral mileage from the event.

In response, Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress leader Siddaramaiah clarified that the party is not against Lord Ram but is opposing the politicization of the temple construction for electoral purposes.