Ram Mandir row: Congress distances itself from Sam Pitroda’s remarks, says 'he doesn’t speak for party'

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ANI. ALSO READ: Rajeev Chandrasekhar slams Sam Pitroda over Ram Mandir remark, says it represents Rahul Gandhi's thinking Speaking to ANI, Sam Pitroda has raised a question, amid the preparations for the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, and said, "Is Ram Mandir the real issue or unemployment and inflation?" "I have no problem with any religion. It is okay to go visit the temple once in a while, but you can't make that the main platform. 40 percent of the people vote for BJP, and 60 percent of the people do not vote for BJP.

He is everybody's Prime Minister and not a party's Prime Minister and that's the message the people of India want him to have. Talk about employment, talk about inflation, talk about science and technology, and challenges. They (people) have to decide what are the real issues- is Ram Mandir the real issue? Or unemployment is a real issue.

Is Ram Mandir the real issue or Inflation is a real issue?" he told ANI. "Practise your religion but keep religion separate from politics," he added. Reacting to Pitroda's comment, Union Minister and BJP MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar said it reflects the mindset of the Congress and Rahul Gandhi.

"Sam Pitroda is the prime example of how far removed Rahul's Congress is from the psyche of India. During UPA, Sam was a very powerful man and he was leading the prime minister's innovation council... the 2G scam happened then, and he was silent about that.