BJP leader Nalin Kohli slams Congress for declining invitation to attend Ram Mandir consecration ceremony, says not surprised

In recent developments, BJP leader Nalin Kohli has expressed criticism towards the Congress party for their stance on the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony.

Nalin Kohli has taken a strong position against the Congress party, particularly targeting Congress leadership for denying Lord Ram's existence and contributing to delays in the temple's construction. 

BJP leader Nalin Kohli said, "The Congress party officially stating that its senior leaders will not be there in Ayodhya on the 22nd of January is no surprise because the Congress party over the past few decades took no steps to see that there should be a temple at Ayodhya. The Congress (UPA) government filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court to deny the existence of Lord Ram."

Further, the BJP leader asserted that now that the temple has come up, the Congress is claiming the consecration ceremony to be a BJP/RSS event which is nothing but an excuse.

Also Read: Sonia Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge 'respectfully declined invitation' to attend Ram Mandir consecration ceremony

Kohli's remarks came after the Congress party issued a statement wherein Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh asserted that Sonia Gandhi and party President Mallikarjun Kharge will not attend the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony scheduled on January 22.

The BJP leader's comments reflect ongoing political debates and the charged atmosphere leading up to the temple's inauguration. Despite the controversies, the event is poised to be a momentous occasion, marking the culmination of a long-standing project that has been at the heart of cultural and religious discussions in India. 

While Nalin Kohli's statement suggests no surprise at the Congress party's decision to decline the invitation, it underscores the complex interplay of politics and religion in India, especially in the Ram Mandir, which has been a focal point of national interest and debate.

The Ram Temple in Ayodhya, a significant cultural and architectural milestone, is nearing completion with its base and six surrounding smaller temples almost finished as of December 2023. 

The grand consecration ceremony is scheduled for January 22, 2024, and is expected to be attended by notable figures from various fields, including Bollywood celebrities like Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, and business magnates such as Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, and Ratan Tata.