The political dispute between the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government intensified in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday over controversy over donations to the Ram temple. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath challenged SP chief Akhilesh Yadav to openly support the Krishna Janmabhoomi movement, while the Opposition leader accused the ruling party of shifting from a “nation first” approach to a “donation first” approach.
The controversy over donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple first came to light on June 7 when SP leader Tej Narayan “Pawan” Pandey claimed that he was… $5 Crores $Rs 7.5 crore has been drained from the temple offerings. On June 13, the state government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) at the request of the Temple Trust.
Akhilesh Yadav mocks BJP’s 4C formula
Yadav on Sunday accused the ruling party of reducing Uttar Pradesh to a “paper leak government” and said he was working on a “4C formula” consisting of “Chanda (donations), Korean (theft), chaturai (cunning) and Chalky (Deception),” HT previously reported.
While addressing a press conference, the SP chief said his party had conducted a “PDA audit”, which, according to him, revealed alleged irregularities in several areas, including recruitment exams and Ayodhya-related issues. He alleged that despite raising these issues repeatedly, the BJP has not given satisfactory responses.
Yadav said questions had been raised about the donation management at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and said the issue had affected public confidence. Notably, he said on Saturday that if the SP forms the government, it will turn Ayodhya into an “incomparable” holy city.
Describing the BJP government as a “paper leak government”, Yadav alleged that frequent paper leaks have become a matter of grave concern and are putting the future of students and job seekers at risk.
Adityanath challenged Yadav
He challenged UP CM Yadav to openly support the Krishna Janmabhoomi movement in Mathura, on the lines of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, while criticizing his comments on Ayodhya.
Without directly referring to the controversy over the donations, Adityanath said in Hathras, “Akhileshji, Ayodhya has already been converted by the followers of Lord Ram. Don’t worry about it. Repent, visit Ram Lalla once, at least, it will bring you some wisdom. Now, get ready so that we can also do something for Lord Krishna.”
He also said he was surprised by Yadav’s statement on Saturday, in which he promised to make Ayodhya a ‘dharam nagari’ (religious city) if the SP comes to power in the state, HT had reported earlier.
He said: “Why doesn’t Akhilesh Yadav, who is shedding crocodile tears over Ayodhya, come out in the open and support the idea of Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi movement on the lines of Ram Janmabhoomi agitation, and restore Krishna Janmabhoomi pride?”
Notably, there is an ongoing legal dispute surrounding Krishna Janmabhoomi. The Hindu side claims that the Shahi Idgah Mosque in Mathura was built after demolishing a temple in the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
(With inputs from Hizb ut Tahrir correspondents)
