The Opposition continues to struggle with calibrating a response on the issue of the consecration ceremony of Ram temple. From competitive declarations of devotion to displaying ambivalence about their presence at the January 22 event in Ayodhya to criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government for turning the religious event into a political affair, the Opposition has beens speaking in many voices.
According to top sources, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust is extending the invite to only heads of political parties and not to Chief Ministers. However, that did not stop Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu from declaring his faith in Lord Rama. “Even if there’s no invite from Ayodhya, Lord Ram is the core of our belief, is our ideal.. whether we get an invitation or not, even then it is our responsibility that we all follow the path shown by him (Lord Ram),” Mr. Sukhu said, adding that the event should not be politicised.
Former and current Congress presidents — Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge — have received invites but have not yet taken a call about attending. The Congress has been under attack from Left parties and their allies in Kerala, the IUML, for its ambivalence over the issue. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury has already stated that he will not be attending the function.
