Smriti Irani: Congress denied Lord Rams existence, now visiting temples

Union minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani said the Congress once denied the existence of Lord Ram, but its leaders are now busy visiting temples dedicated to the Hindu deity.

Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Smriti Irani on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, saying the party once denied the existence of Lord Ram but its leaders are now busy visiting temples dedicated to the Hindu deity. She said the voters of Madhya Pradesh will reject the Congress in the November 17 assembly polls.

Congress denied Lord Ram's existence

Addressing election rallies in Barahi Katni district and Chourai Chhindwara district in support of party candidates, Irani said the erstwhile Congress-led UPA government, in an affidavit submitted in the Supreme Court in 2007, denied the existence of Lord Ram, but its leaders are now on a temple-hopping spree.

Congress used to mock BJP over Ram Temple

Taking a dig at the Congress, Irani said the party used to mock the BJP, asking the saffron party when the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will be completed. "We are not only constructing the Ram temple, but also informing you that January 22 is the date of pran pratishtha (consecration) of the deity's idol," she said.

Congress pained by PM Modi's free ration scheme

The BJP leader further stated that the Congress is pained by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement extending the free ration scheme for 80 crore poor people for five years. "The PM extended the scheme after seeing the positive changes it is bringing in the lives of people, but the Congress is unhappy because it wants the poor to remain poor," Irani remarked.

Madhya Pradesh assembly elections

Madhya Pradesh, which has a 230-member assembly, will vote in a single phase and counting of ballots will take place on December 3. The BJP is hoping to retain power in the state, while the Congress is aiming to unseat the incumbent government.

In the 2018 assembly elections, the BJP won 109 seats, while the Congress bagged 114 seats. However, the BJP managed to form the government with the support of two BSP MLAs, one SP MLA, and four Independent MLAs.