Ram Temple Donation Row Exposes Power Struggle Within BJP: Akhilesh Yadav

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav alleged on Monday that a "power struggle" is occurring between the BJP and the Uttar Pradesh government, claiming that the people's faith and religious sentiments in Ayodhya are being compromised.

Addressing a press conference here after a meeting of party leaders and office-bearers, Yadav also attacked the BJP over governance, development projects, the condition of the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre (JPNIC), engineering education and preparations for future elections.

Commenting on the Ram temple donation controversy in Ayodhya, Yadav stated that the BJP leadership is more concerned about internal rivalries than protecting the religious faith of the people.

"Our faith and devotion are being toyed with. Everyone knows what is happening, yet they remain silent. The double-engine government (in UP and the Centre) is not functioning collaboratively; instead, it is in conflict. There is a power struggle, and they have no regard for faith or devotion," he alleged.

He further claimed that those in power had become "blinded by the treasure" and that the dispute reflected a battle for control within the ruling establishment.

Yadav alleged that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter reflects the internal conflict within the BJP.

"If it were a matter for the Enforcement Directorate, CBI, or Income Tax, the investigation would have been handled in Delhi. Before Delhi could address it, Lucknow took charge. This situation is a result of the power struggle," he stated.

Invoking Lord Ram, Yadav appealed to religious leaders and institutions to take note of the controversy.

"I appeal to Ram devotees across the world, saints of Ayodhya, the Supreme Court, the Lok Sabha Speaker, the citizens of Ayodhya and the PDA (Pichhda, Dalit and Alpsankhyak) society to take cognisance. The BJP can go to any extent in spreading false propaganda," he alleged.

Regarding BJP National President Nitin Nabin's visit to Lucknow, Yadav claimed it highlighted the friction between the party organisation and the state government.

"When their national president visited, it felt as though a curfew had been imposed in Lucknow. There is a serious conflict between the organisation and the government," he said.

Yadav remarked about Nabin's visit to a tea stall with party leaders, saying, "When you have nothing to do, you have tea."

Yadav also accused the BJP government of neglecting the Jayaprakash Narayan International Centre.

"JPNIC was not merely a building but a museum dedicated to Jayaprakash Narayan's political life. It also had sports facilities and a convention centre. The BJP has ruined it because of its hatred towards the socialist movement," he alleged.

He recalled that when the BJP was formed, there was a debate about its future direction, and they had decided to follow a socialist and secular path.

"They had no socialist leader or figure to promote. When their first national president was elected, they attempted to use Jayaprakash Narayan's image to demonstrate their commitment to the socialist movement," he said, adding that using JP's picture was an attempt to present themselves as socialists.

"Today, they (BJP) harbour such animosity towards our Muslim brothers. The first person to propose their national president was also a Muslim," he noted.

Taking a swipe at the BJP ahead of future elections, Yadav claimed that many ruling party leaders were looking to change their constituencies. "If they have the courage, they should contest again from the same constituencies. We are ready to defeat them there itself," he said.

The SP president also criticised the BJP government over engineering education and infrastructure.

"I read in newspapers today that Uttar Pradesh has witnessed the highest number of engineering colleges shutting down. The chief minister himself does not understand what engineering is. The Rs 7,000-crore Green Corridor in Lucknow has been designed in such a way that people will have to stop repeatedly while travelling," he alleged.