Hyderabad, July 6 (IANS) Telangana’s minister for transport and backward classes welfare Ponnam Prabhakar on Monday demanded the BJP to apologise to people of the country for embezzlement of crores of rupees in Ayodhya Ram Mandir.

He accused the BJP of using the name of god and ‘akshintalu’ (grains laced with turmeric) for politics.

Talking to media persons, the Congress leader recalled that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi laid the foundation stone for the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya.

He said many people across India contributed donations for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

He claimed that theft of funds from the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya is an insult to all Hindus. “It was a scam committed in the name of god. The BJP is the party that used the name of god for scam.”

The Congress leader said the BJP, which sought votes in the name of Ram and ‘akshintalu’, was defeated by the people of Ayodhya. He claimed that the people of Ayodhya were the first to notice corruption in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.

He demanded that the BJP respond to the allegations of embezzlement of funds and apologise to the people.

“They looted the donation boxes and misappropriated the funds collected across the country in the name of Lord Ram. They distributed ‘akshintalu’ in every village to solicit votes.”

The minister said senior BJP leaders must respond regarding the Ram Mandir issue. Those who engage in politics using the name of Ram and the guise of devotion need to speak up. They must apologise to the people of the country, acknowledging that what happened there was wrong.

On the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Telangana, Ponnam Prabhakar said that this is an important process in democracy.

He stated that enumeration forms have reached every household. He asked Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of the Congress party to coordinate with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to ensure that not a single eligible voter is left out.

The Congress leader said he personally toured seven mandals and conducted training sessions for the party workers.

A meeting was also held under the leadership of the Deputy Chief Minister, Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka for the Hyderabad and Secunderabad parliamentary constituencies.

–IANS

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