Ram Temple offering controversy: BJP, RSS launch damage-control exercise ahead of Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections

Following the controversy over offerings at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have begun preparing for a large-scale public outreach campaign in Uttar Pradesh.

The party leadership fears that the controversy could become a major issue for the opposition in the run-up to the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections and have electoral repercussions.

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According to BJP sources, the party’s objective is to reduce public discontent and counter the opposition’s allegations that the BJP and the RSS failed to take timely and adequate action over the alleged theft of offerings and valuables donated to the temple.

A senior BJP leader said the party has specifically instructed its Uttar Pradesh unit to convey to the public that both the Centre and the state government initiated strict action against those responsible as soon as the matter came to light. A strategy has also been devised to accuse the opposition of politicising the issue.

According to BJP sources, during his recent visit to Uttar Pradesh, BJP President Nitin Naveen told party leaders that a “mistake” had been made but advised them to refrain from blaming one another. He reportedly said the opposition was attempting to politicise an issue of religious faith by turning the controversy into an election issue.

Meanwhile, the RSS is also considering a separate public outreach campaign. A BJP MP said, “A plan is being prepared to send volunteers door to door, particularly to contact major donors. There is also a proposal to allow those who have donated above the prescribed limit and possess valid receipts to directly verify the donations deposited with the temple.”

The MP said senior RSS functionaries believe every donated item should be fully accounted for and that any doubts in the minds of devotees must be addressed.

Meanwhile, opposition parties have also stepped up their strategy on the issue. It is expected that they will raise the matter forcefully during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins on July 20.

Against this backdrop, both the BJP and the RSS are seeking to minimise the political fallout from the controversy by restoring public confidence through an aggressive public outreach campaign.