As the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya approaches, a political slugfest has erupted over invitations and potential attendance of the Opposition leaders. Invitation to the grand consecration event was sent to religious leaders, politicians, actors and other dignitaries. CPM leader Brinda Karat, today morning, said her party had decided to skip the ceremony while referring to it as "politicisation of a religious programme".

“Our party will not go. We respect religious beliefs but such occasions shouldn’t be used as a political weapon,” Karat said while talking to ANI.

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Responding to the CPM leader, Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi said ‘invitations were sent to all (but) only those called by Lord Ram will come’.  

Besides CPM, former Congress leader and senior lawyer Kapil Sibal has refused the invitation. He said ‘Lord Rama was in his heart’ and he didn’t feel the need to attend the event.

"What I say to you is from my heart... because I do not care about these things. If Ram is in my heart, and Ram has guided me on my journey, it means I have done something right," Sibal said while talking to ANI.  

As per reports, CPI will also skip the event.

Congress party, however, hasn’t yet cleared its stand on whether or not they will attend the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony. "You will (be told) about the party's stand... you will know on January 22," Congress’ KC Venugopal said while confirming that they have been invited.

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The idol consecration ceremony at Ram temple in Ayodhya will take place on January 22. More than 6,000 invitations have been send for the event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will also attend the event. In the backdrop of the occasion, the state government will hold a recitation of the Ram Charitmanas and Hanuman Chalisa in all prominent temples and 'muths'. This will begin from Makar Sankranti on January 14 and will continue till January 22.