New Delhi: Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a press conference in Prayagraj, accusing the ruling party of using faith and religion for political and financial gains. Responding to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s recent remarks on Ayodhya and the Ram Temple, Akhilesh alleged that the BJP had shifted its priorities from “Nation First” to “Donation First.”

He asserted that while the Samajwadi Party also stands for the protection of Sanatan Dharma, it would not tolerate any alleged misuse of faith or irregularities committed in its name.

Targets BJP Over Alleged Donation Irregularities

Referring to the alleged irregularities related to donations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple, Akhilesh questioned how devotees’ faith could be compromised.

“Who could have imagined that people’s unwavering faith and devotion would face such allegations? This reflects political manipulation and deception,” he said.

The SP chief demanded that CCTV footage from the temple premises be made public so that people could know “how many times the cameras were allegedly switched off.” He also took a swipe at the BJP, claiming that people were now jokingly interpreting CCTV as “Donation Theft and Offering Theft.”

According to Akhilesh, concerns over the alleged incident have spread to villages, where many devotees are questioning whether they should continue making donations if such allegations persist.

Introduces New Political Slogan

During the press conference, Akhilesh coined a fresh political slogan targeting the BJP over the controversy.

He said:

“Chor-chor sautale bhai, jinhone churayi Ram ki pai, dekho ja raha woh BJPai jisne khai Ram ki pai.”

He further alleged that those who frequently accused others of wrongdoing were now themselves facing serious questions.

Questions CM Yogi’s Ayodhya Visits

Akhilesh also questioned Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s frequent visits to Ayodhya.

He remarked that the Chief Minister often highlighted the number of times he had visited the Ram Temple, but questioned how such alleged irregularities could have gone unnoticed despite repeated visits.

Using the phrase “Chirag tale andhera” (darkness beneath the lamp), he argued that if the state leadership was unaware of alleged issues in Ayodhya, it raised broader questions about governance and administrative oversight elsewhere in Uttar Pradesh.

Political Debate Intensifies

Akhilesh Yadav’s remarks have added a fresh political dimension to the ongoing debate surrounding the Ayodhya donation controversy. While the SP has demanded greater transparency and public disclosure regarding the allegations, the matter continues to remain politically sensitive.

The allegations and counter-allegations are likely to intensify as political parties continue to spar over issues related to governance, accountability, and religious institutions. Investigations into the alleged irregularities are ongoing, and any conclusions will depend on the findings of the competent authorities.