Patna, July 6 (IANS) Amid the Ram Mandir donations embezzlement row, BJP Bihar President, Sanjay Saraogi, on Monday accused the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Congress of remember Ayodhya and Lord Ram only during election season. He also defended the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government over the alleged siphoning of donations from the temple, asserting that the matter is being thoroughly investigated.

His remarks came in response to Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s criticism of the Uttar Pradesh government over the alleged misappropriation of donations made to the Ram Mandir.

This comes as on June 28, Akhilesh Yadav had questioned the state government’s accountability in the matter, saying, “For some, donation comes before the nation.”

The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also asked how the alleged irregularities remained unnoticed despite Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s frequent visits to Ayodhya.

Yadav had said, “For those who put donation before the nation, the Chief Minister, who was setting a world record by visiting Ayodhya repeatedly, still failed to get information about this. That is why the saying ‘darkness under the lamp’ exists. He has visited Ayodhya so many times, yet he had no knowledge of this. It is a question of the government’s accountability.”

Reacting to the statement, Saraogi told IANS, “Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party, and the Congress remember Ayodhya and Lord Shri Ram only during elections. People have not forgotten how many Ram devotees were killed and fired upon during the government of Mulayam Singh Yadav. Ram devotees and patriots remember those incidents clearly, and today these people are shedding crocodile tears.”

Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Saraogi said, “Till today, Rahul Gandhi has never shown genuine devotion towards the Ram Temple. When Lord Ram was in a tent, he did not visit the temple. He went there only once in 2016. These are the same people who did not attend the inauguration of the Ram Temple and instead protested wearing black clothes. Now they have suddenly started remembering the Ram Temple.”

On the donation embezzlement, the BJP leader said, “Whatever alleged theft has taken place in connection with the Ram Temple, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has already ordered an investigation. Several arrests have been made, and a substantial amount of money has been recovered. Despite this, the Congress and the Samajwadi Party are trying to politicise the issue. Their character and thinking are different.”

Commenting on the newly constituted Waqf Boards, Saraogi said new Boards have been formed and similar steps would be taken across states.

He also spoke about the meeting of the Ram Temple Trust, saying, “Meetings of the Trust are held regularly. Today’s meeting is also part of the routine review process, where the current situation and ongoing matters are being assessed.”

Paying tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his 125th birth anniversary, Saraogi said, “Syama Prasad Mookerjee was a symbol of national unity and integrity. The fact that West Bengal remains an integral part of India is because of his efforts. During his tenure as a Union Minister, he made significant contributions, and today the entire nation is observing his 125th birth anniversary.”

–IANS

jk/rad