Sitaram Yechury
In Lord Ram's name, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies are now seeking votes, said CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury on Sunday and added that his party aims to defeat their divisive politics and set up a secular state.
"The BJP and its partners are now seeking vote in the name of 'Ram'," the Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary said addressing the party's state conference in Tripura.
"The agitation against the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala temple in Kerala and launching of "Shri Ramayana Express" from Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh to Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu are part of a game plan of the BJP and RSS to create communal and religious polarisation ahead of the Lok Sabha polls," the Left leader said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party and its partners ahead of the next year's general elections are "inciting the religious sentiments, creating Hindu-Muslim and ethnic divisions", he added.
Yechury said that the CPI-M has been campaigning with three missions -- defeat BJP, broaden and strengthen the Left movement and to set up a secular government.
Meanwhile, in a related but different development, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday morning offered prayer to Lord Ram Lalla. His family was present with him. On Saturday afternoon he arrived in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, along with his family for his two-day visit at the temple town.
The Sena chief arrived with his wife Rashmi and son Aditya amidst slogans of "Jai Shri Ram". On Saturday evening, he offered prayers on the banks of the Saryu river.
Shiv Sena chief asked the Narendra Modi government to wake up from a “Kumbhakarna-like slumber” and declare the date for its construction.
“I have come here to awaken the Kumbhakarana,” he said, indirectly comparing Modi, or his government, to the Ramayana character known for sleeping for months at a stretch. “Today's Kumbhakarna has been sleeping for the past four years," he said.
The Sena has demanded expediting the construction of a Ram temple in Ayodhya by promulgating an ordinance to the effect.
(With inputs from agencies)
