Karnataka Elections: Modi planned to pray in Nepal just to influence voters, alleges Congress

The Congress on Saturday alleged that PM Narendra Modi's visit to temples in Nepal is aimed at influencing voters in Karnataka where polling is being held today.

Talking to reporters Congress general secretary Ashok Gehlot said"As there is a model code of conduct in Karnataka, PM Modi planned to pray at temples in Nepal instead, just to influence voters. This is not a good trend for democracy. Why did he only choose today as the day?"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at Nepal's Muktinath Temple on Saturday as aprt of his trip to the country, making him the first world leader to do so.

Ahead of his visit, Nepali home minister Ram Bahadur Thapa described the visit as "religious and cultural and not political".

This is the third visit of PM Modi to Nepal, and the first high-level visit from India since the formation of the new government in Nepal this year.