Ram ideal for us, says Yogi Adityanath, slamming Akhilesh Yadav
What's the story
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has slammed Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav for his party's past actions against Ram devotees. Speaking at the AajTak Panchayat, Adityanath said that Lord Ram is an ideal for the country and his ideals have guided the government's approach toward development and welfare of the poor. "Shri Ram is our idol. Taking him as our inspiration, we have worked toward development and the welfare of the poor," he said.
Apology demand
Yogi asks for apology to Ram devotees
Adityanath also welcomed Yadav's planned visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on December 12.
However, he insisted that Yadav should first apologize to Lord Ram's devotees.
"Those who bloodied Ayodhya are also remembering Ayodhya," he said at the Deepotsav event in Ayodhya.
He added that while the Lord is kind and forgiving, those who insulted and attacked devotees must seek forgiveness.
Counter response
When will truth come out in Ram temple donation theft?
In response to Adityanath's remarks, Yadav referred to a recent controversy over donation theft at the Ram Temple.
He asked when the truth would be separated from fiction in the case and criticized that those responsible were still not arrested.
Despite accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of communalism, Yadav said the Ayodhya dispute was settled after a Supreme Court verdict in 2019.
Election strategy
Yadav's temple visit amid election preparations
Yadav's planned temple visit comes amid election preparations and a month-long debate over Ayodhya's electoral candidate.
On October 8, during a visit to Ayodhya, Yadav challenged Adityanath to contest from the town himself.
Adityanath had then responded by inviting Yadav to file his nomination alongside him.
However, Yadav has since announced he will focus on statewide campaigning instead of contesting himself.