Ayodhya event by VHP, RSS organised to divert attention from BJP's failures: Akhilesh Yadav

Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Sunday the "joint show" of the VHP, the RSS, the BJP and other organisations in Ayodhya for the construction of Ram temple was intended to divert attention from the failures of the government, and thanked the people of the state for “not taking” them seriously.

Thousands of devotees thronged the temple town on Sunday to attend VHP's marathon 'Dharam Sabha', with a senior religious leader asserting the dates for the construction would be announced early next year. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad claimed over 3 lakh people attended the congregation as devotees from all walks of life descended here to discuss the way forward for building the temple.

"I want to thank people of state and the country for not taking the joint show of VHP, RSS, BJP and other organisations in Ayodhya seriously. It was organised to divert attention from failures of the BJP. The party failed on issues like blackmoney, unemployment, problems of farmers and women and now flaring up communal sentiments," Akhilesh said in a statement issued in Lucknow.

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He alleged that the BJP "did not" fulfil promises made in its 2014 manifesto. In contrary, his party did all possible for development of the state.

Yadav added that the RSS and BJP are "anti-people" and "Both work to flare up communal sentiments, divide society and hatch conspiracies."

The slammed the Ayodhya administration for confining people in their homes, adding that children and patients had to suffer due to the programme.

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"It should also be considered that whatever was spoken at the event was against SC or not? The reality is that in Madhya Pradesh, elections are going to be held on November 28 and people have made up their minds to uproot the BJP. To divert attention of people from the core issues in MP, the emotional Ayodhya issue has been raked up despite knowing that the matter is pending with the SC and hearing will be held in January," he said.

(With PTI inputs)