Does Sonia Gandhi and Kharge's decision to avoid Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha pose a threat to Congress?

Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Kharge declined Ram Mandir's invitation, citing BJP's politicization. Party fears electoral consequences, BJP accuses Congress of religious insensitivity. Public opinion is divided on impact, with 87% predicting fallout. VHP and temple trust invited Congress leaders, who declined ahead of the January 22 event.

Image Source -www.thehindu.com

In a significant political move, the decision of Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, top leaders of the Indian National Congress, to abstain from attending the forthcoming Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha ceremony is generating widespread speculation about potential ramifications for the party's electoral standing.

The Congress leaders, along with Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, officially communicated their decision to decline the invitation, citing concerns over the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) alleged transformation of the religious event into a political spectacle designed for electoral gains. The party, through its general secretary Jairam Ramesh, underscored that matters of faith should remain personal and accused the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders of inaugurating an "incomplete" temple with questionable motives.

India TV conducted an opinion poll on the matter, posing the question: "Will Sonia Gandhi and Kharge not attending Ram Mandir Pran Pratistha prove to be suicidal for Congress?" The results revealed a divided public sentiment, with 87% anticipating adverse consequences for the Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, while 10% believed there would be no significant impact. The remaining 3% of respondents remained undecided.

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The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Ram temple trust had personally extended the invitation to Sonia Gandhi, Kharge, and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury during a meeting last month. The ceremony, scheduled for January 22, 2024, has now become a focal point of political discourse, intensifying the ongoing ideological clash between the Congress and the ruling BJP.

This move by Congress leaders is poised to have wider implications, raising questions about the delicate intersection of religion and politics in India. The decision not only underscores the party's stance on the BJP's alleged politicization of religious events but also signals a potential shift in the dynamics leading up to the upcoming elections. The political ripple effect from this decision is likely to persist, making it a critical development in the current political landscape.