Himanta Biswa Sarma advises Rahul Gandhi against unnecessary competition on Ram Temple

PTC News Desk: 

In the midst of an escalating verbal exchange, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma extended advice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, urging him to refrain from visiting the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardeva at Batadrava on January 22. Sarma emphasized that Gandhi's proposed visit to the Vaishnav saint's birthplace, coinciding with the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, would create "unnecessary" competition.

Gandhi's Nyay yatra made its entry into Assam from Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday, prompting Sarma's government to deploy commandos along sensitive routes to ensure security during the political procession on January 22.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed concern that Gandhi's visit to Batadrava during the Ram Temple consecration ceremony would cast a negative light on Assam. "We will request Rahul Gandhi not to visit Batadrava on Monday during the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple, as it will reflect Assam in the wrong light," Sarma stated during a press conference.

Sarma suggested that Gandhi could visit the location after the consecration ceremony without instigating "unnecessary competition," which he deemed detrimental to Assam's image.

Highlighting the sensitivity of certain areas that the Congress yatra is set to traverse, Sarma announced the deployment of commandos along routes through minority-dominated regions to anticipate and address potential law and order situations.

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The ongoing exchange of barbs between Rahul Gandhi and Himanta Biswa Sarma escalated on Sunday, with both leaders accusing each other of fear. Rahul Gandhi remarked, "He (Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma) is scared. The chief minister is corrupt..."

In response, Sarma quipped that Gandhi was even afraid of his child. "Rahul Gandhi pehle toh mujhse darta tha, ab mere bacche se bhi darna shuru kar diya," he remarked.

The consecration ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram Temple, scheduled to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NDA politicians, actors, businessmen, and sports stars, has witnessed political tensions. Several opposition parties have declined invitations, alleging that the BJP is attempting to gain political advantage through the event.

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(Inputs from agencies)