New Delhi, June 30 (IANS) A political row erupted on Tuesday after Uttar Pradesh Congress President, Ajay Rai, was placed under house arrest in Ayodhya ahead of his proposed visit to the Ram Mandir, with the BJP and Congress exchanging sharp remarks over the development.

Congress alleged that Rai and a delegation of party leaders were prevented from visiting the temple, while BJP leaders accused the Congress of attempting to politicise the issue amid the ongoing investigation into the embezzlement of Ram Temple donations.

Reacting to the development, Uttar Pradesh Minister Anil Rajbhar dismissed the Congress’ allegations.

“There is nothing much to it. These people don’t even have 50–60 supporters. They are frustrated. From the court to every level, they have tried a lot to stop the temple from being built. This is not hidden from anyone…” Rajbhar said.

BJP MP Ghulam Ali Khatana also defended the action, saying the matter was linked to an ongoing investigation.

“The matter is under investigation. Visiting a temple is not a crime, but doing politics inside a temple is. Interfering with an ongoing investigation is also wrong,” Khatana said.

The Congress, however, strongly criticised the move. Party leader Abhishek Dutt questioned the decision to place Rai under house arrest and linked it to broader political issues.

“It appears that the intention is that Ajay Rai is the same person who was earlier said to be defeating Narendra Modi in elections. But then something happened, like alleged vote theft, similar to ‘donation theft’, and he lost the election while PM Narendra Modi won…” Dutt said.

Congress President Ajay Rai has been placed under house arrest at Hotel Padam Shri Palace in Ayodhya.

Amid the ongoing controversy over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, the Uttar Pradesh Congress had alleged that a delegation of its leaders was placed under house arrest in the temple town.

Rai was scheduled to lead a delegation of Congress MPs and party leaders for darshan at the Ram Mandir on Tuesday. However, he claimed that he was placed under house arrest at the hotel after arriving in Ayodhya on Monday night.

In a video statement, Rai alleged that he was kept under detention at Hotel Padam Shri Palace by the district police after reaching the city.

“We intended to visit Ayodhya to seek the blessings of Lord Shri Ram. I was scheduled to lead a delegation of Congress leaders for darshan. We also wanted to pray to the Lord regarding the disrepute brought to this holy site by the RSS and BJP through the theft of offerings and donations, as well as land scams,” Rai said.

The development comes amid heightened political exchanges over the financial irregularities linked to donations at the Ram Mandir, which are currently under investigation by the Uttar Pradesh Police.

–IANS

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