In a significant development, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former president Sonia Gandhi, and Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury have received invitations to the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya scheduled for January 22. However, sources suggest that these senior Congress leaders are unlikely to attend the ceremony.
Former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda have also been extended invitations, and more opposition leaders are expected to receive invites in the coming days. The invitations were sent individually to Sonia Gandhi, Kharge, and Chowdhury by a delegation associated with the Ram Temple construction, including Nripendra Mishra.
Notably, chief ministers and governors are not on the invitee list, despite many being heads of political parties. The heads of major temples, spiritual leaders, renowned personalities from various fields, and industrialists like Mukesh Ambani and Anil Ambani have also been invited to the grand event.
LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, key figures in the Ram Mandir movement in the ’90s, have expressed their intent to make every effort to attend the ceremony if their health permits. Prime Minister Modi is set to attend the installation of the idol of Ram Lalla, marking a historic moment in the construction of the grand temple.
Following the consecration ceremony, Mandal Puja will commence for 48 days from January 24, with public darshan of Ram Lalla starting on January 23.
