Congress against Ram temple, RSS: BJP

Launching a scathing attack on the Congress party, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sambit Patra on Sunday said that India's grand old party was against the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and was also against the RSS camps.

Talking to media persons here, Patra said: "It seems that the Congress has only one motto-Mandir Nahi Banne Denge; Shakha Nahi Chalne Denge (Congress will not allow the construction of Ram temple; it will not let the RSS camps to be organized). The Congress party is against the construction of Ram Temple. They have been vocal about it on several occasions."

The Congress in its manifesto for Madhya Pradesh assembly polls has stated that if it is voted to power, it will not allow the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to conduct shakhas (camps) in the government buildings.

Patra also said, "Congress has called Naxals revolutionaries, and Naxalism a revolutionary process. But, the Sangh (RSS), who does social work, deserves hatred and shall be banned." BJP leader lambasted the Congress over its decade-old remark, stating that Lord Rama does not exist.

He further condemned the Congress president Rahul Gandhi for equating RSS with the Muslim Brotherhood, which is a terrorist organisation and mocked senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh, saying that he was a supporter of Zakir Naik, Osama-bin-Laden, and Pakistan.

Continuing his tirade against the Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Digvijaya Singh, and Kamal Nath, Patra said, "The Congress has tried to ban the RSS thrice in the past but they were not successful." He also demanded apology from the trio for their demeaning remarks against the RSS and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Patra said, "The BJP is in favour of constructing Ram temple, which will be constructed but within the ambit of Indian Constitution," asserted Patra. He also exuded confidence that the BJP will retain power in 2019 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by winning more than 300 seats in the Lok Sabha polls.

Appreciating the Centre's demonetisation decision, Patra said: "The formalisation of Indian economy happened because of demonetisation. We have recovered money from the people, whose income was suspicious. More recovery will be made in the coming days. There has been a spurt in digitalization. There is a decrease in black money.