Cong Chief Kharge, Sonia Get Invites To Ram Temple Inauguration In Ayodhya

Top leaders from the Opposition party Congress have been invited to the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple scheduled for January 22 in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi and party leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have received invitations, according to news agency PTI.

However, the senior Congress leaders are unlikely to attend the ceremony, sources told the news agency. Kharge, Gandhi and Chowdhury have received the invitations, individually, the report said.

Former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and H D Deve Gowda have also received invitations for the function. Sources claimed that the invitations were delivered by a delegation of those associated with the Trust. More invitations are likely to be sent to other opposition leaders in the coming days.

The Trust has said that invitations have been extended to revered saints from different traditions, along with all prominent individuals contributing to the honour of the country in every domain.

In the new Teerthakshetrapuram (Bag Bijaisi), a Tent City has been established which includes six tubewells, six kitchen houses, and a hospital with ten beds, the Trust has said.

Approximately 150 doctors from around the country have agreed to provide their services in rotation at this hospital.

About 4,000 saints from different sects have been invited to participate in the ceremony, the Trust has said.

On the other hand, Ram Temple Trust general secretary Champat Rai said recently that BJP veterans L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, who were at the forefront of agitation for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, might not attend the consecration ceremony due to health and age-related reasons.

"Both are elders of the family and considering their age, they were requested not to come, which was accepted by both," Rai had told reporters.

Vishva Hindu Parishad working president Alok Kumar on Tuesday said he has invited BJP veterans L K Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi to attend the event.

VHP working president Kumar said in a statement, "Invited respected Lal Krishna Advani ji and respected Dr Murali Manohar Joshi ji, who were at the forefront of Ram Mandir movement, to attend the 'Pran Pratishtha' (consecration) programme at Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22, 2024." "Both the seniors said that they will make every effort" to attend the event, Kumar added.

Advani is 96 while Joshi will turn 90 next month.