Mamata Banerjee May Skip Temple Inauguration, What Her Party Said...
NDTV
Trinamool Congress leaders have indicated that Ms Banerjee does not want to help the BJP further its political narrative on the issue ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
In a rare instance of agreement with the Left parties, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is also likely to skip the inauguration ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya on January 22. While there is no official confirmation yet, Trinamool Congress leaders have indicated that Ms Banerjee does not want to help the BJP further its political narrative on the issue ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Trinamool spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said that the party's stand on the issue is clear - it is against what it terms the BJP's attempt to "misuse Lord Ram's name".
"Mamata Banerjee will soon make her stand clear herself. The Trinamool Congress' stand is that we respect all religions and Lord Ram. We offer prayers to him, but the BJP is misusing Lord Ram's name, and we oppose that," he said.
