Assam CM urges Rahul Gandhi not to visit Sankardeva's birthplace during Ram Temple consecration

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the `Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra` in Assam. Pic/PTI

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should avoid visiting the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva at Batadrava on January 22, as there can be no competition between Lord Ram and the medieval age Vaishnav saint revered as an icon in the state, reported news agency PTI.

Sarma said that commandos will be deployed along sensitive routes of minority-dominated areas to be taken by Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on January 22, the day of the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, reported PTI.

"We will request Rahul Gandhi not to visit Batadrava on Monday during the Ram Temple consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple as it will reflect Assam in the wrong light," the chief minister said at a press conference, reported PTI.

He can go after the Ram Temple consecration ceremony without creating 'unnecessary competition which will be sad for Assam', he said, reported PTI.

Srimanta Sankardeva is an Assamese saint-scholar, social-religious reformer, poet, playwright and a towering figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam from the 15th-16th century, reported PTI.

For Monday, the Congress has chosen a route through "sensitive areas" of Morigaon, Jagiroad and Nellie which could have been avoided, the chief minister said.

"These areas are sensitive and I cannot discount any law and order situation arising and as such commandos will be deployed along sensitive routes of minority-dominated areas to be taken by Rahul Gandhi's Yatra on January 22," he said, reported PTI.

District Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of these areas have been directed to increase patrolling and maintain a strict vigil, Sarma added, reported PTI.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that Assam's BJP-led government has been threatening people against joining the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and also refusing permissions for programmes along the route.

But people are not afraid of the BJP, Gandhi claimed addressing a while public gathering at Biswanath Chariali, the headquarters of Biswanath district.

He also asserted that the party will win by huge margins against the BJP in the coming elections.

At the gathering, Gandhi said, "We don't make long speeches as part of the Yatra. We travel every day for 7-8 hours, listen to your issues and our aim is to raise these issues."

(With inputs from PTI)