New Delhi: The game of politics is truly peculiar. If you refrain from doing something, the opposition targets you; if you decide to go ahead and do it, the opposition’s tone remains just as unreasonable. With assembly elections approaching in Uttar Pradesh, the country’s largest state,e a rise in political temperature is inevitable. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav is set to visit Ayodhya on December 12 to offer prayers to Ram Lalla at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi site. His visit is rapidly turning into a major political battleground.
Previously, opposition parties used to taunt him for not visiting Ram Lalla. Now that a date has been set, they have shifted their rhetoric to corner him from a different angle. Even the sadhus and sants (sages and saints) in Ayodhya appear divided into two camps regarding his visit: one group is demanding an apology from Akhilesh Yadav for the firing incident involving kar sevaks (volunteers), while the other is prepared to welcome him with garlands.
Did you know that, much like in 1990, the political narrative in Ayodhya appears to be taking a new turn? By referencing planetary positions and constellations in relation to his visit, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has sparked a fresh debate.
Akhilesh responds to BJP’s allegations.
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, accompanied by his family, will arrive in Ayodhya on December 12 to offer prayers to Ram Lalla. Meanwhile, SP leaders state that this will serve as a fitting response to the BJP’s accusations. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has, on several occasions, advised Akhilesh Yadav to visit the Ram Mandir. Upon learning that Akhilesh Yadav was planning to visit Ayodhya to offer prayers, CM Yogi remarked that those responsible for the firing and lathi-charge (baton-charge) against devotees of Lord Ram should first apologise before attempting to seek blessings from Ram Lalla.
Has the date for the visit been finalised?
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav has responded with sharp wit to questions regarding his upcoming visit to Ayodhya. He stated that the date was determined by Pawan Pandey. After consulting with members of the Brahmin community, examining astrological alignments (nakshatras), and seeking guidance from astrologers who analysed the positions of the Sun and the Moon, the date for his visit to Ayodhya to seek the blessings of Ram Lalla was finalised.
SP Chief to visit Hanumangarhi first.
On December 12, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav will first visit Hanumangarhi to offer prayers and seek blessings, after which he will proceed to have darshan of Ram Lalla. This date was announced by SP leader and former minister Pawan Pandey on the occasion of Chhoti Diwali. Since then, the matter has become a significant topic of discussion. Coming just ahead of the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, this visit by Akhilesh is seen as more than just a religious pilgrimage; it is considered significant in terms of the Samajwadi Party’s political image and its relationship with Ayodhya.
