'May Lord Ram punish those who looted in his name': Kharge's veiled dig at BJP over Ayodhya temple donation row

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday invoked Lord Ram while attacking the BJP over the Ayodhya temple theft fund row, saying he should “open his eyes” and punish those who allegedly looted wealth in his name.Speaking in Patna, Kharge also raised the alleged ‘suddhikaran’ (purification) incident targeting him in Haldwani, saying BJP president JP Nadda had promised an inquiry but an FIR was instead filed against Rahul Gandhi during his visit to the town.

Kharge called for those involved in the ritual to be identified.Also Read: 'Congress misleading Dalit community': BJP rejects Rahul's claim of Kharge's insult in Haldwani purification ritualKharge seeks action over ‘suddhikaran’ rowKharge also said there would be no peace in the country as long as the RSS ideology persisted. “I am pained that socialist leaders like Nitish Kumar joined hands with people who believe in RSS ideology”, he added, news agency PTI reported.Referring to the alleged ‘suddhikaran’ (purification) incident targeting him, he said Nadda had promised an inquiry into the matter.“We need to find those involved in carrying out ‘suddhikaran’,” Kharge said.The controversy erupted after Kharge addressed a Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan in Haldwani on August 8.

Members of a right-wing group reportedly conducted a purification ritual at the ground later, drawing criticism from Congress leaders.Earlier. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi order an FIR against those involved in the ‘suddhikaran’ (purification) of the Ramlila ground.Gandhi also played a purported video showing the BJP’s Uttarakhand chief supporting the ritual and sought “justice” for the Congress president.Kharge alleges ‘vote chori’ in several statesKharge accused the government of coming to power through “vote chori” in Bengal, Haryana, Bihar and Maharashtra, warning that “these thieves will be put behind bars”.

He demanded that all elections be conducted using ballot papers, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls be halted immediately, and assembly elections held in the past two years be annulled.Calling the fight against SIR a “second war of independence”, Kharge urged the people of Bihar to support a nationwide movement against the exercise.Targeting the government over inflation, Kharge questioned how it could usher in ‘Amrit Kaal’ when it could not make basic essentials affordable.

This government, which cannot make onions and bread affordable, how will it usher in ‘Amrit Kaal’,” he asked.(With inputs from PTI)