How Lord Ram Is Taking Centre Stage In MP Assembly Polls?

The battle lines have been drawn in Madhya Pradesh assembly polls and the BJP and Congress are leaving no stone unturned to score brownie points over each other.

While Congress is trying hard to end the 18-year rule of the BJP government, the ruling party is making every effort to cling onto power. As the campaign intensifies, Lord Ram is taking center stage again.

It was all started with Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving a formal invitation for the 22 January consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya. General Secretary of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust Champat Rai confirmed meeting the PM to extend the invitation, and said that 22 January has been finalised as the date of installation of the Lord Ram idol in the temple's 'garbhagriha' (sanctum sanctorum).

A few days later, banners announcing the development of the "Bhavya Ram Mandir" and urging the reinstatement of the BJP government appeared in numerous locations across Madhya Pradesh. On the banners, the pictures of PM Modi, BJP president J P Nadda, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and BJP state president V D Sharma appeared.

Featuring the temple's image in the background, these banners displayed photos of Modi, BJP president J P Nadda, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and BJP state president V D Sharma, among others.

Thereafter, the Ram Mandir has been a focal point in the speeches of prominent BJP figures. In Chitrakoot, PM Modi mentioned on Friday that the temple was nearing completion, expressing his immense privilege at being invited to the consecration ceremony.

"...Jagadguru Rambhadracharya ji has played a big role in fulfilling one of the dreams of every countrymen - the Ram temple, for which you have contributed so much, in and outside the court, is also going to be ready," the PM said as Hindu leaders present at the gathering cheered.

Two days ago, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the demand for the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya lingered on for decades but PM Modi laid the foundation of the temple one morning.

"On January 22, (idol of) Lord Ram Lalla will be consecrated in the huge temple," Shah said. He also accused the Congress of obstructing the temple's construction.

"Rahul Baba used to remark that the BJP will only talk about the temple (in Ayodhya) but won't tell its date. Now see, Modi ji has not only constructed the temple but has also told the date (of the consecration). Just go there and seek blessings to get satisfaction," Shah attacked.

As against the hardline Hindutva, Congress seems to have adopted a soft Hindutva strategy. In its manifesto for Madhya Pradesh polls, the Congress has pledged to start the development of a "Shri Ram Van Gaman Path" and recommence the construction of a Sita temple in Sri Lanka.

Also, it has vowed to erect a statue of Ram's companion, Nishad Kevatraj, in Chitrakoot.

Congress' Kamal Nath sent his Vijayadashami wishes by citing a 'chaupai' from the Ramayan. "Ja par kripa Ram ki hoi, ta par kripa kare sab koi" - assuring the public that a Congress government would spare no effort in uplifting "aastha (faith)" and 'sanskriti (culture)," he said on X.

Also, he paid a visit to a local Ram temple before filing the nomination.

How The Two Parties Are Fighting Over Lord Ram Issue?

A war of words has erupted after Congress objected to the BJP putting up hoardings taking credit for the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya.

The BJP said the Congress was "pained over the construction of the Ram temple", while the opposition party accused the former of "going astray from the devotion to Lord Ram".

The Congress is complaining to ECI against the hoardings of Ram temple, which is the centre of faith not only in India but also in the world, said Sharma.

Speaking to reporters, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently claimed that the Congress used to submit an affidavit in the court denying the existence of Lord Ram and terming him "imaginary".

"After seeing the people's faith in Lord Ram, they (Congress) are becoming Ram bhakt (devotees of Lord Ram), reciting his 'bhajans' and 'Hanuman Chalisa'," PTI quoted Chouhan as saying in Chhatarpur.

On Saturday, Congress's Madhya Pradesh in-charge, Randeep Surjewala, expressed that Ram embodies the virtues of 'Maryada Purushottam', symbolizing love, devotion, faith, and sacrifice.

"How can Lord Ram be a subject of politics? Can there be any party of Lord Shri Ram? Those who deviated from the path of devotion and whose intellect has also become corrupt should sit at the feet of Lord Ram to get some wisdom. Lord Shri Ram cannot be the subject of partisan politics," Surjewala said.