NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday described Samajwadi Party (SP) president and former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav’s proposed December 12 visit to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya as a “matter of personal faith.“The two parties are allies in the state.Congress’ Uttar Pradesh in-charge Rajendra Pal Gautam questioned why any political leader should object to the SP chief’s proposed visit.“Religion is a matter of personal faith. Whether someone wants to visit a temple, mosque, gurudwara, church, Buddhist monastery, or Jain temple is entirely their personal choice,” he told ANI.“Our Constitution gives everyone the freedom of religion and worship. So why should any political leader have a problem with that?” the Congress leader asked.Gautam’s remarks came amid attacks by BJP leaders, including Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and deputy chief minister Brijesh Pathak, on Akhilesh Yadav over his proposed Ram Temple visit. They cited the 1990 police firing on “kar sevaks” (volunteers), which took place when Akhilesh Yadav’s father, Mulayam Singh Yadav, was the chief minister.This comes a day after SP leader Pawan Pandey claimed Akhilesh Yadav will visit Ayodhya with his family on December 12 to offer prayers at the Hanuman Garhi temple and seek blessings at the Ram Temple.“On December 12th, the national president of the Samajwadi Party and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Akhilesh Yadav, will visit Ayodhya along with his family,” Pandey said.
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Pandey also expressed confidence about the party’s prospects in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, likely to be held in February-March next year.“This government will be ousted, and the Samajwadi Party government will be formed, with Akhilesh Yadav becoming the chief minister,” he remarked.This would be Akhilesh Yadav’s first visit to the temple since its consecration in January 2024.