BENGALURU, 23 JAN 

Congress in Karnataka on Tuesday termed the consecration of Ram Temple in Ayodhya a 'political event' and expressed scepticism about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's fast for 11 days ahead of ‘Prana Pratishtha’ ceremony.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said he worshipped Mahatma Gandhi’s Rama and not ‘BJP’s Rama’ at the newly built Ayodhya temple in Uttar Pradesh. Asked whether he has plans similar to BJP to send three crore pilgrims to Ayodhya, Siddaramaiah wondered whether there was no Rama in the temples in Karnataka. “Don’t the idols there belong to Sriramachandra, Sita, Lakshmana and Anjaneya? BJP is out to do politics around Ram temple in Ayodhya. Our objection is to their politics,” he said.

Former chief minister Veerappa Moily expressed doubt over the claim that Modi observed fast for 11 days ahead of the consecration. “During a morning walk today (on Tuesday), a doctor, who was accompanying me said no one can survive for 11 days without food. If someone has survived then it is a miracle,” he said in Chikkaballapur.

He was curious to know what agenda BJP would have after exhausting the Ram Temple issue. “They (BJP) came to power in various states in the last 25 years saying they will install Ram statue. Now the temple is ready. What next?” Moily wondered.

Believe in Janata Janardan & Constitution: Kharge

IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge said he does not have ‘devotion’ as he believed in ‘Janata Janardan’ (God in people) and Indian constitution. “I will go there (to Ayodhya) if ‘Saheb’ asks me. I go (on pilgrimage) if I am interested to learn something. Did anyone invite me to go to Varanasi or direct me to go to Rishikesh? I went there (pilgrimage centres) on my own to learn,” Kharge said.

Cong protests against attack on Nyay Yatra

Around 200 Congress workers under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumar protested in Bengaluru on Tuesday against the attack on Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam. “Congress is not scared and will not bow to BJP goons' threat, mantras and religion politics,” the KPCC president said at the protest held at Freedom Park.

“The yatra has sent shivers down the spines of BJP leaders and hence, they suspended the yatra for two days,” Shivkumar said. “The yatra is not allowed to enter Guwahati which raises the question of whether Constitution and democratic system is alive or dead.”

Siddaramaiah said fringe elements in BJP were trying to obstruct the yatra. “Gandhi is doing the march to understand the problems of the nation, its people and the society,” the Chief Minister said.

Difficult to heed to everyone’s suggestion: CM

Amid discontent brewing within a section of the ruling Congress in Karnataka regarding the political appointments in boards and corporations, Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said it is difficult to heed everyone’s suggestion.