Nearly 100 UP Congress office-bearers to visit Ayodhya on Jan 15
Ram temple consecration, around 100 Congress office-bearers from Uttar Pradesh, including party's state unit chief Ajay Rai and state in-charge Avinash Pande, will visit Ayodhya on January 15 on Makar Sankranti. During their visit to the holy city, the Congress leaders will take a dip in Saryu river, and then visit the Ram temple and Hanumangarhi temple, Rai said on Sunday.
«On January 15, I am going to Ayodhya.
Our general secretary and UP in-charge Avinash Pande, and senior leaders Pramod Tiwari and P L Punia will also visit Ayodhya. In all, around 100 Congressmen will go there,» Rai told PTI on Sunday.
Giving details about his plan, Rai said, «A decision has been taken to visit Ayodhya on January 15.
At 9.13 am, the Sun will become 'Uttarayan' (northward movement of the Sun), and at 9.15 am, we will depart for Ayodhya chanting 'Jai Siya Ram' after observing the tradition of breaking coconut.»
He added that the Congress office-bearers will take a dip in Saryu after reaching in Ayodhya, visit the Ram temple and Hanumangarhi.
To a question as to whether the UP Congress wants to deliver any message to the public by undertaking the journey on Makar Sankranti, Rai said, «We are going there because of our religious feelings. This is my first visit to Ayodhya after I became the chief of the UP unit of the Congress.
Prior to this, I had visited Ayodhya several times.»
Meanwhile, Pande, newly appointed AICC in-charge of UP, said the Congress has never played with the 'aastha' (faith) of people.
«On January 15, I am going there (Ayodhya) to attend a personal programme. Prabhu Shri Ram resides in our heart,» Pandey told PTI.
