Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday launched a sharp attack on the Opposition, accusing it of hypocrisy over allegations of irregularities in the handling of donations for the Ram temple in Ayodhya and saying those questioning the matter had once opposed the temple’s construction.
Addressing reporters ahead of the Monsoon Session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, Adityanath said the Ayodhya issue was being revived by those who had earlier acted against Ram devotees during protests.
“The Ayodhya issue is being raised by those who had fired bullets at Ram devotees. They are the same people who used to resort to lathi-charge and firing when people raised the slogan of ‘Jai Shri Ram’,” he said. The chief minister did not name any party, though.
He alleged that those now targeting the management of temple donations had earlier tried to stall the Ram temple’s construction through legal challenges, as reported by the New Indian Express.
“They talk about theft of donations meant for the Ram temple, but not a single penny for the temple’s construction came from their pockets. The country and the world are watching their double standards,” he said.
SP Legislators Stage Protest
His comments came as Samajwadi Party legislators staged a protest outside the Assembly on the first day of the session, raising slogans over the alleged Ayodhya Ram Mandir donation row, NEET paper leak, electricity supply issues and fertiliser shortages.
SP leader Shivpal Singh Yadav criticised the government for convening a three-day session, alleging that it was avoiding debate on major public concerns.
“By calling a three-day session, this government is doing a condemnable thing. There are many problems in the state, and the government is running away from these issues,” Yadav told reporters.
During the protest, SP legislators shouted slogans including “Chanda chor gaddi chhod”, accusing the BJP government of failing to address public grievances.
In response, Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Khanna said the SP was trying to manufacture issues without a meaningful agenda. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also said the Opposition had neither issues nor an agenda.