A day before the muchawaited and much-publicised bhoomi pujan (foundation laying ceremony of Ram Mandir at Ayodhya), former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath recited the Hanuman Chalisa. In full media glare, Nath sat before the Hanuman idol at his residence. He also sent 11 silver bricks to Ayodhya.
This is, however, being seen as an exercise linked to political motives of Kamal Nath. His statement that he is doing this for the welfare of the people of Madhya Pradesh is being interpreted as his politics aimed at somehow getting back to power in Bhopal. What is being asked is whether Kamal Nath is banking on “Hanuman” more than “Ram” to get back the power that he lost to the BJP.
What gives the event political overtones is that the by-elections are going to be held in 27 Assembly seats in MP and Kamal Nath’s fate is said to hinge on the outcome. He knows that the BJP will definitely try to cash in on the sentiments arising out of shilapujan ceremony in Ayodhya. He has, therefore, appeared in the Bhagwa avatar to counter the BJP’s politics based on what happens at Ram Janmabhoomi.
With bypolls in mind, Nath organised the Hanuman Chalisa recital at his residence, say party insiders.
At a time when a “Ram wave” is sweeping across the country, Kamal Nath chose to be conspicuous by his “Hanuman Bhakti”. This has also set tongues wagging in the political circles.
Former MP Chief Minister Uma Bharti, who was in the forefront of the Ram temple movement, steered clear of the ceremony, and even said that Ram belongs to all and not only to the BJP.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra reacted on the same lines. She said Ram belongs to all. Another former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh is also a devotee of Ram. However, Digvijaya Singh sparked a controversy by floating a weird theory linking the recent development of some BJP leaders contracting coronavirus to the ground-breaking ceremony for the Ram temple in Ayodhya. He said that the time chosen for the ceremony is inauspicious. However, Priyanka Vadra has steered clear of what Digvijaya said. She did not say anything on the timing of the function.
But, in view of the sensitiveness of the issue, Digivjaya Singh hurriedly said that he had no objection to construction of the Ram temple. Last week also, Digvijaya Singh was in the headlines when he supported the views of the young guard for giving Rahul Gandhi the top post. He wants to be back to 24 Akbar Road and this could be possible only if Rahul Gandhi is at the helm. It is said that Rahul Gandhi had relieved him of the general secretary’s post. Sources say that it will be difficult for Digvijaya Singh to stage a comeback as Kamal Nath would be averse to his move. Sources say that Nath’s plan is that if he does get the top job back in MP, he would liketo be at the Congress headquarters, and the presence of Digvijaya there may spoil his plan. Anyway, Kamal Nath’s focus is on how to counter the BJP agenda in MP. He chose to display “Hanuman bhakti” on Tuesday — the day dedicated to Lord Hanuman. He also asked all the block and district committees to recite “Hanuman chalisa”. This was aimed at taking the message down to the grassroots level. Nath believes that Congress’ victory in the bypolls can pave the way for his come-back to power in MP. As the Ayodhya ceremony of 5 August will benefit the BJP politically in the state, he is trying to steal the show with whatever bhagwa politics he can do,