Amit Shah accuses Rahul Gandhi of avoiding Ayodhya Ram Mandir visit for vote bank

Amit Shah in Maharashtra/ Sameer Syyed Abedi

During a rally in Maharashtra's Dhule district, Union Home Minister Amit Shah claimed that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi avoided visiting the Ram temple in Ayodhya for fear of losing his vote bank. Shah questioned Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray's stance on Gandhi's resistance to repealing Article 370, which conferred special status to Jammu and Kashmir, reported PTI.

According to the news agency, Shah emphasised the BJP's role in resolving the Ayodhya Ram Mandir problem and aiding its construction, claiming that Gandhi denied an invitation to the temple opening for fear of losing political support. He chastised the Congress for its slowness in removing Article 370, citing appeasement politics, and pressed Thackeray to clarify his position on Gandhi's decisions.

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"Rahul Gandhi was invited (for the Ram temple inauguration), but he did not visit because he feared losing his vote bank. The BJP does not have any such fear. The Congress did not remove Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir because of the same appeasement politics," the senior BJP leader said.

Amit Shah further said, "Gandhi opposed the abrogation of Article 370. I want to ask his ally Uddhav Thackeray what are his views on Gandhi's stand. Gandhi and Congress insulted (Hindutva ideologue) Veer Savarkar. What does Thackeray have to say about it?"

He further stated, "I also want a clarification from Uddhav Thackeray. One of the constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc is DMK led by M K Stalin, and his son Udhayanidhi Stalin has insulted Sanatan Dharma. Does Uddhav agree with them?"

Shah also questioned Gandhi's leadership credentials, including his ability to solve national security challenges and foster economic growth, stated the PTI report.

Per the report, the senior leader asked, "How can he (Gandhi) even launch Chandrayaan to the moon? Can he or his government ever give a befitting response to Pakistan? Can they end Naxalism or terrorism in the country? Can they make India prosperous?"

The event was in support of BJP candidate Subhash Bhamre, who is running for the Dhule Lok Sabha constituency against Congress candidate Shobha Bachhav. The election in Dhule is set for May 20.