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The Congress party, represented by Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, has declined the invitation to attend the forthcoming Ram Mandir inauguration on January 22. In a pointed statement, the party conveyed that the premature inauguration of the incomplete temple was a calculated move by the ruling BJP and RSS to gain electoral advantages.
Expressing their stance, the Congress emphasized that while millions hold reverence for Lord Ram, religious sentiments remain a personal matter. However, the BJP and RSS have politicized the Ayodhya temple as part of their longstanding political agenda.
The party reiterated its respect for the 2019 Supreme Court judgment that facilitated the construction of the temple but deemed the upcoming event as a political affair orchestrated by the BJP and RSS. In light of this, Kharge, Gandhi, and Chowdhury respectfully declined the invitation, categorizing it as an RSS/BJP-centric event.
Earlier, on December 31, the Congress had acknowledged the invitations extended to its leaders for the inauguration, intending to reveal their decision at an appropriate juncture.
Insiders familiar with the situation revealed internal divergence within the Congress leadership regarding attendance at the event. While some advocated for the Congress’s presence, Rahul Gandhi reportedly opposed it, citing the BJP’s instrumentalization of the temple construction for political mileage. Rahul Gandhi foresaw the event as a prelude to a display of political strength ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Congress’s decision to abstain from the Ram Mandir inauguration underscores the party’s conviction against participating in what they perceive as a politically motivated spectacle orchestrated by the BJP and RSS.
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