BJP to invite Yogi for Ram Mandir launch?

The CM, in the state budget had announced that Sri Rama Temple would be constructed atop Rama Betta

Shyam Sundar Vattam I NT

Bengaluru: In an obvious move to consolidate Hindu votes in Ramanagar and Mandya districts, the ruling BJP is planning to invite Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath for the foundation laying ceremony of the proposed Sri Ram Mandir atop Rama Betta in Ramanagar district during March.

Sources in the BJP told News Trail that the visit of Yogi, a prominent face of the party in the Hindu heartland of Uttar Pradesh would give a much-needed fillip to the BJP which is trailing behind the Congress and JD(S) in the south Karnataka districts of Mandya, Hassan, and Ramanagara.

Except for the bypolls held in KR Pet in 2019, the BJP has not made any dent in the Assembly or Lok Sabha seats in these districts. This time, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has set a target of 25- 20 seats for the BJP from South Karnataka districts in the coming Assembly polls for which Vokkaliga community ministers are literally sweating it out to achieve the task.

To woo the Vokkaliga votes, the BJP Government headed by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai did launch some initiatives like installing the bronze statue of Naada Prabhu Kempegowda near Bengaluru International Airport and promising to hike the quota for the Vokkaliga communiy in employment and education. Now, the saffron party plans to unite Hindu votes by going for the construction of Sri Ram Mandir atop Rama Betta in Ramanagar.

In the same district, KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar had stoked a controversy by allowing the installation of a big statue of Jesus on a hillock that was opposed by the BJP. The CM, in the state budget FY 2023-24, had announced that Sri Rama Temple would be constructed atop Rama Betta and even announced grants for the same.

Already, the BJP government had released Rs 100 crore for the development of Anjanadri Betta in Koppal district, which is said to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. The CM has also promised a ropeway for Anjanadri Hill. Like the the construction of Sri Ram Temple in Ayodhya helped the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh to beat anti-incumbency and get re-elected, Bommai wants to engage in a similar exercise to bring back the saffron party to power in Karnataka.