Function at Ayodhya political, laced with election flavor: Rahul Gandhi

KOHIMA: Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi today made it categorically clear that the January 22 function at Ayodhya was political and laced with election flavor.

“It is difficult for us to go to a function which is designed around the Prime Minister and the RSS”, he told a press conference, the first of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, here.

Earlier in the day, Rahul was accorded a rousing reception as the Nyay Yatra he is leading entered the state of Nagaland. Thousands of people cheered and greeted him as the bus along with a long convoy of vehicles made its way into the state on the third day of the Yatra. The crowds were raising slogans and waving the national flags. Gandhi got down from the bus and interacted with people at several places.

Gandhi took a volley of questions on the Congress party’s stand on January 22 function in Ayodhya making it clear that his party cannot attend a function that has been captured by the BJP. “It becomes difficult for us to attend a function when our principal opponents have turned it into a political function”, he said, while observing, “I think that is why the Congress president said that he will not go to the function as it has become an RSS/BJP function”.

Gandhi pointed out: “Even the authorities of the Hindu religion, the biggest authorities, have made their view public as what they think about January 22 function that it is a political function.”

At the same time, Gandhi clarified the Congress party is open to all religions and all practices. He said everyone in the Congress party is free to visit the temple. On the personal level, he said, religion is a matter of personal faith and belief. He said, he does not want to exploit his religion for any benefit and that is why he does not need to wear it on his sleeve. “Those who do not believe in religion, but exploit it for political benefits wear it on their sleeves”, he remarked.

On the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) working and seat sharing, he said in most of the places there is no difficulty. He expressed confidence that at one or two places where there are certain issues about seat sharing, these will also be resolved.

He maintained that INDIA formation is an ideological alliance, which has placed itself in opposition to the divisive agenda of the BJP. He asserted that the alliance would fight the elections together and defeat the BJP.

Gandhi also clarified that there was complete harmony within the alliance and there was a lot of mutual respect between the leaders for each other. He observed that the media did not report about the cordial atmosphere during the last meeting of the alliance leaders.

Replying to a question about the alternate vision the Nyay Yatra was presenting before the people of the country, he said, it was to provide justice and fight against the divisive agenda of the RSS and the BJP. He said, injustice, hatred and violence were all related and that is why the party is putting on the table the issues concerning injustice with people across the

He pointed out that the Congress party decided to start the Yatra from Manipur, as people there had suffered and the Prime Minister did not care to pay a single visit.

Similarly, he added, even the promises made to the people of Nagaland were not fulfilled. “I do get a sense that the Prime Minister promises things without thinking of getting them through”, he remarked, in reply to a question as to how promises and commitments made to the people of Nagaland several years ago had not been fulfilled till now.