AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge also slammed PM Modi and US President Donald Trump saying the two leaders, who call themselves “good friends,” were destroying their respective domains
NEW DELHI – Targeting the BJP over allegations of embezzlement of funds linked to the Ram Temple trust in Ayodhya, AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday claimed there was “loot” in the name of religion.
“The temple has been constructed to loot money. Nobody gave any account of the money collected after (L.K.) Advani’s Rath Yatra. Now, after the construction of the temple, ₹5,000 crore has been misused. There are reports suggesting that the poojary (priest) has swindled money in the name of Lord Rama,” Kharge said during the installation ceremony of new Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president B.K. Hariprasad on Sunday, The Hindu reports.
“I have seen several temples being consecrated by spiritual leaders. However, he (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) installed the idol, inaugurated the temple and even cut the ribbon. Money is being looted from the temple. An investigation must be conducted to find out whether the money is being looted by his followers or by someone else,” Kharge said.
Referring to the inquiry announced by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, he asked: “Why do you need 15 days to do so? When God, Mr. Modi and the temple are with you, put those looting money in the name of Rama behind bars.”
The Congress president said that while people voted on the basis of religion and faith, looting was taking place in the name of dharma. “The rights of people and students are being trampled upon and the poor are being inconvenienced. They want money from the Ram Mandir, yet are fleecing the poor by taxing petrol and diesel.
The Congress preident also attacked the Modi Government over the conduct of the NEET examination, accusing it of “betraying” students and parents, and demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
“Because your (the NDA government’s) administration is not functioning properly, you are conducting the NEET examination for the second time. The BJP and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan have betrayed lakhs of students,” he said.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, he claimed the two leaders, who call themselves “good friends,” were destroying their respective domains-one, the country, the other the world.
“Modi is destroying the country. Trump is destroying the whole world. Both of them call themselves good friends. Both good friends, you are bringing a bad name to the country, and people are suffering because of both of you,” Kharge said, as is reported in the media.
