Not yet invited for Ram Mandir consecration, says Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah claimed that he was not yet invited to the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya slated for January 22. The CM said he would consider attending the much-awaited event after getting an invite.

When reporters asked if he would attend the ceremony, Siddaramaiah quipped, "Till today I have not got an invitation. If an invitation comes, I will look into it."

Recently, Siddaramaiah through a tweet, blamed the BJP and the RSS for converting a religious ceremony (consecration of Ram Mandir) into a state-sponsored event.

The General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) wrote, "The CPI(M) policy has been to respect religious beliefs & safeguarding the right of every individual to pursue their belief. Religion is a personal choice not to be converted into an instrument for political gain. This is a State sponsored function in presence of PM & UP CM."

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has been inviting several prominent personalities and political leaders of the country for the grand event.

The Congress, however, on Friday, said it will decide at an 'appropriate time' on whether party president Mallikarjun Kharge and parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi will attend the consecration ceremony.

Earlier in the day, the Shiv Sena UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray said while he had not received any invitation for the ceremony, he stated that he didn't need an invitation to visit the temple.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and over 6,000 people are expected to attend the consecration ceremony.

(with PTI inputs)