UP Congress Chief Ajay Rai Placed Under House Arrest in Ayodhya Ahead of Temple Visit
The Uttar Pradesh Congress president, Ajay Rai, was placed under house arrest at a hotel in Ayodhya on Monday evening, the party stated. This action comes a day before a high-level delegation from the Congress was scheduled to visit the Ram temple to pay obeisance, amid an ongoing controversy over alleged embezzlement of funds at the temple.
The delegation, led by Rai, was to include four other Members of Parliament: Kishori Lal Sharma (Amethi), Rakesh Rathor (Sitapur), Ujjwal Raman Singh (Prayagraj), and Tanuj Punia (Barabanki). The Congress had informed the local administration of the planned visit.
Earlier on Monday, Rai had stated, 'Ayodhya lawyers have made it clear that accused persons like Champat Rai, Anil Mishra, and Gopal Rao must leave Ayodhya within three days. If this does not happen, Ayodhya will be completely blocked, and no lawyer will fight their case. The people of Ayodhya will no longer tolerate those who indulge in corruption in the name of faith. These individuals, under the protection of power, will now have to answer. We are demanding a Supreme Court-monitored investigation in the case.'
In response to the opposition's criticism, Uttar Pradesh Minister Dayashankar Singh said, 'Opposition leaders do not believe in Lord Ram, have never visited the temple in Ayodhya, taken no part in its construction, and yet question people who have given up family life to serve the nation.' He added, 'These are the people who do not believe in Lord Ram. Some among them do not even accept his existence. They have never gone for Lord Ram's darshan. Have those criticising ever visited the Ram temple? Have they made any contribution to its construction?'
Other former lawmakers accompanying the delegation include former Barabanki MP S P Gautam, former MLC Deepak Singh, former Maharajganj MLA Virendra Chaudhary, and former Barabanki MLA Mita Gautam.
The situation remains tense as the Congress seeks to highlight the alleged financial irregularities at the temple, while the state government defends the temple's management and criticises the opposition for what it sees as political opportunism.
