BJP has ‘cheated’ Lord Ram in last 30 years, says Rajiv Shukla

Congress leader Rajiv Shukl on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over chanting of “Jai Shri Ram” slogan at an election rally in Ayodhya and said Lord Ram will “punish him severely”.

He said the BJP, over the last three decades, has sought votes in the name of Lord Ram, but forgotten him after elections.

“The party has cheated Lord Ram since the last 30 years as it has sought votes in his name and forgotten him after getting votes.

“Those who don’t have any faith in Lord Ram raise slogans during elections and later forget him. Lord Ram will punish him (Modi) severely,” Shukla said at a press meet here.

He was asked about Modi chanting “Jai Shri Ram” after ending his speech at a rally in the UP town.

Asked whether the Congress will approach the Election Commission over the matter, Shukla said, “The EC should take cognisance of it. I myself is saying they are cheating Lord Ram.”

Taking a dig at BJP leaders, Shukla said “During every election they say they will build (Ram) temple (at the disputed site in Ayodhya), but after they build their own castle.”

Shukla said after the end of voting in nearly 375 Lok Sabha constituencies in the country, their report suggests the BJP will lose seats everywhere, be it Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Maharashtra.

“In the entire country they are getting lesser seats (compared to 2014). In South India, the BJP has no existence except in Karnataka.

“The situation is not good (for the BJP). In Uttar Pradesh also their seats are reducing and same is the case in Gujarat and Jharkhand. From where they will get the majority?” the Congress leader asked.

Therefore, a change is going to take place at the Centre. The Modi government is on its way out, he claimed.

Taking a jibe at Modi, Shukla said he is “misleading” people ahead of the remaining phases of polling to improve his (BJPs) situation.

While filing nomination from the Varanasi seat, Modi had told people not to believe those who are saying that the BJP is winning this election.

This shows the PM is not confident about the BJP’s electoral victory, Shukla said. nswering a question, he indicated a hung verdict on May 23, when the Lok Sabha poll result will be declared, and added the Congress is going to form the next government with support from like-minded parties.