New Delhi, June 9 (IANS) Political controversy intensified on Tuesday over Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s remarks regarding alleged irregularities in donations received at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, with the BJP strongly attacking him while opposition leaders from the Congress and CPI called for an independent inquiry into the matter.

BJP MP Jagdambika Pal accused Akhilesh Yadav and the Samajwadi Party of having a long history of opposing the Ram Temple movement.

He said, “Akhilesh Yadav and Mulayam Singh Yadav have always opposed that temple. The way bullets were fired at Ram devotees is well known. Today, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a 500-year-old blot has been erased and the grand temple of Lord Shri Ram has been built. People from all over the world are coming there. They are hurting the sentiments of crores of people…”

Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, however, said the allegations raised by the Samajwadi Party chief were serious and warranted an impartial investigation.

He said, “This is a very serious allegation, and if a senior leader like Akhilesh Yadav has made such an allegation, then in my opinion there should be an independent investigation. I believe that no one would speak blindly on the issue of the Ram Temple, as people are emotionally connected to it. I would also assume that Akhilesh Yadav must definitely have some evidence.”

Echoing similar sentiments, CPI MP P. Santhosh Kumar supported the demand for a probe into the allegations.

He said, “I support that this is a very serious matter. Whoever is doing wrong in the name of God or man should be probed. Wherever such issues are found, action should be taken. I support this demand. There should be a proper inquiry into this matter.”

A political row has erupted over Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s claims that crores of rupees received as offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya have gone “missing”.

Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday claimed that reports were suggesting that crores of rupees received as donations at the Ram Temple were unaccounted for and urged the court to take suo motu cognisance of the matter. His remarks have triggered sharp reactions from the BJP, which has accused him of hurting sentiments of devotees, while opposition leaders have sought a transparent investigation to establish the facts.

–IANS

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