Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Bihar President Sanjay Saraogi on Monday, 6 July accused the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Indian National Congress of invoking Ayodhya and Lord Ram only when elections are near, as the controversy over alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Mandir continued to roil political circles. Saraogi simultaneously defended the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government, insisting that a thorough investigation is already under way and multiple arrests have been made.

The Trigger: Akhilesh Yadav's Accountability Challenge

Saraogi's remarks were a direct response to SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, who on 28 June publicly questioned the state government's accountability over the alleged misappropriation of temple donations. Yadav had asked how the alleged irregularities could have gone undetected given Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's repeated visits to Ayodhya. 'For those who put donation before the nation, the Chief Minister, who was setting a world record by visiting Ayodhya repeatedly, still failed to get information about this. That is why the saying 'darkness under the lamp' exists,' Yadav said. The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister framed the episode squarely as a failure of government oversight.

Saraogi Fires Back: 'Crocodile Tears'

Saraogi rejected the opposition's criticism as politically motivated. 'Akhilesh Yadav, the Samajwadi Party, and the Congress remember Ayodhya and Lord Shri Ram only during elections. People have not forgotten how many Ram devotees were killed and fired upon during the government of Mulayam Singh Yadav. Ram devotees and patriots remember those incidents clearly, and today these people are shedding crocodile tears,' he said.

Turning to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Saraogi alleged a consistent lack of genuine engagement with the temple. 'Till today, Rahul Gandhi has never shown genuine devotion towards the Ram Temple. When Lord Ram was in a tent, he did not visit the temple. He went there only once in 2016. These are the same people who did not attend the inauguration of the Ram Temple and instead protested wearing black clothes. Now they have suddenly started remembering the Ram Temple,' he said.

BJP's Defence on the Donation Embezzlement Row

On the core allegation of financial irregularities, Saraogi maintained that the Yogi Adityanath government has moved swiftly. 'Whatever alleged theft has taken place in connection with the Ram Temple, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has already ordered an investigation. Several arrests have been made, and a substantial amount of money has been recovered,' he said, adding that the opposition was attempting to politicise an ongoing law-enforcement matter.

Other Remarks: Waqf Boards and Ram Temple Trust

Saraogi also commented on the newly constituted Waqf Boards, indicating that similar steps would be replicated across other states. On the Ram Temple Trust, he described its latest meeting as a routine review, saying it was part of a regular process to assess the current situation and ongoing matters.

Tribute to Syama Prasad Mookerjee

On the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Saraogi paid tribute, calling him 'a symbol of national unity and integrity' and crediting his efforts for ensuring that West Bengal remains an integral part of India. The BJP leader noted that the entire nation was observing the milestone anniversary.

With the Ram Mandir donation controversy showing no sign of fading, the political battle over the temple's administration and finances is likely to intensify ahead of future electoral cycles.