On 24 October, the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee submitted a complaint to the state Election Commission accusing the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) of putting up posters claiming credit for the construction of Mahakal Lok in Ujjain and Ram Mandir in Ayodhya without the commission’s permission. The Congress party further alleged that the ruling BJP is putting up posters, LED screens and hoardings claiming credit for various administrative policies.
Notably, BJP had put up posters featuring prominent BJP leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, MP CM Shivraj Singh Chauhan, and BJP National President JP Nadda among others. In the background, an image of the Ram Mandir model is seen with the slogan “Bhavya mandir ho raha taiyar, phir iss baar Bhajapa sarkar.”
The letter submitted by Congress Indore district head Ravindra Kumar Pathak stated, “Even after the election code of conduct was implemented in the Indore district assembly elections in 2023, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is conducting electoral campaigns on religious lines, in violation of the code of conduct, by using hoardings and campaign vehicles on LED screens and social media.”
First problem with Lord Ram,
— Sunanda Roy 👑 (@SaffronSunanda) October 28, 2023
Then problem with construction of Ram temple,
Problem with Ram Setu and
Now problem with hoardings having pictures of Ram temple
Congress has now filed a complaint against the removal of hoardings of Lord Ram's temple.
Congress hates Hindus ! pic.twitter.com/SpDXYjYAv4
In addition to accusing the BJP of giving religious colour to the electoral campaign ahead of the state assembly elections, the Congress alleged that the BJP is putting up posters, hoardings and LED screens promoting the benefits of government schemes while violating the code of conduct.
“BJP supporters are putting up religious posters near Shastri Bridge, Regal Square, and Scheme No. 140. Posters claiming credit for the huge Mahakal Lok and magnificent Ram Temple have been displayed without the permission letter at Scheme 140, Gandhi Hall, Rajkumar Bridge. In addition, posters promoting the benefits of numerous government initiatives have been shown without the required authorization letter. Since all of the hoardings mentioned above and LED screens violate vehicle regulations, cognisance is requested to be taken in this matter,” the letter added.
Congress’s move triggered a strong reaction from the BJP as the party’s state chief VD Sharma held a press conference on Saturday slamming Congress. Sharma said that Congress’s basic character was against Lord Rama and Sanatan Dharma. He further claimed that the Congress party is “pained” by the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
#WATCH | Congress' basic character is against Lord Shri Ram, against Sanatana Dharma. Madhya Pradesh's 9.5 crore people are asking why does Congress object to the hoardings of Ram Mandir? Congress and their leaders who practice appeasement politics are pained by the construction… pic.twitter.com/zjpHJZtWvt
— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) October 28, 2023
“Congress’ basic character is against Lord Ram and against Hindutva and Sanatana Dharma. Madhya Pradesh’s 9.5 crore people are asking why does Congress object to the hoardings of Ram Mandir. Congress leader [referring to former CM Kamal Nath] is saying that Ram Mandir belongs to everyone then why do you [Congress] have problems with putting hoardings? Congress and their leaders who practised appeasement politics are pained by the construction of the Ram Mandir and that its consecration ceremony will be held on January 22, 2024, due to the willpower of PM Modi,” Sharma said.
'कांग्रेस का बाबर और बाबरी प्रेम फिर उजागर'
— BJP Madhya Pradesh (@BJP4MP) October 28, 2023
जल्द ही बनकर तैयार हो रहा भव्य श्री राम मंदिर से भारतवासी हर्षित हैं और कांग्रेस बौखलाई हुई है।
मध्यप्रदेश कांग्रेस के मीडिया प्रभारी केके मिश्रा ने बावरी ढांचे गिरने को बताया मस्जिद शहीदी।
तुष्टीकरण कांग्रेसियों की रग-रग में है। pic.twitter.com/kli4gVJKb4
He further slammed Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee’s Media Department Chairman KK Mishra for calling the dismantled Babri Masjid a “martyr”. BJP’s VD Sharma accused the Congress leader of doing appeasement politics and doing “Babar Bhakti”.
कांग्रेस की "बाबर भक्ति" एक बार फिर सामने आई है।
— BJP Madhya Pradesh (@BJP4MP) October 28, 2023
कांग्रेस के सोनिया भक्त चुनावी रामभक्त बन रहे थे, लेकिन कांग्रेस के मीडिया विभाग के अध्यक्ष के बयान से कांग्रेस की असली बाबरभक्ति सामने आ गई है।
– प्रदेश अध्यक्ष श्री @vdsharmabjp pic.twitter.com/duX5DYFy9Z
“When the Supreme Court has said that the Ram Mandir is real and its evidence is factual, then why is the Congress leader saying that Babri Masjid was martyred,” Sharma said asserting that this alleged “Babar Bhakti” is being displayed by Congress leaders at the behest of Sonia Gandhi.
