MLA: Don’t donate for temple at Ayodhya

Tension in Jagtial after BJP leaders stage protests

TRS legislator Kalvakuntal Vidyasagar Rao on Thursday appealed to the people not to donate any money for the construction of the Ram mandir at Ayodhya.

At a meeting held at a private function hall while launching the second phase of the sheep distribution scheme in the presence of animal husbandry minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav and welfare minister Koppula Eshwar in

Jagtial district, Rao came down heavily on the BJP.

Vidyasagar Rao alleged that the BJP leaders were playing a new political drama by raising funds for the construction of the temple.

“They have started begging from the people while going to every house. Why should people from the state give money for the temple, which is coming up in Uttar Pradesh? Are we not capable of constructing Ram mandirs in our villages? We too are true devotees of Lord

Sri Rama,” he said.

Vidyasagar Rao appealed to the people, “Not to fall for such cheap gimmicks and not believe them as they are trying to encourage communalism in the country.”

“Under the leadership of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, the state is witnessing allround development across spheres. Equal importance is given to all religions and all castes. All festivals are celebrated on a grand note,” the MLA said.

Having learnt of the comments made by the

MLA, BJP leaders staged dharnas, burnt his effigies and took out protest rallies in the erstwhile Karimnagar district. A surcharged atmosphere prevailed in Jagtial district.

BJP leaders reached Vidyasagar Rao’s house in Metpally in large numbers and staged a dharna. They demanded that the MLA take back his words and apologise for his comments.

When the situation was reaching a flashpoint, police reached the spot and brought the situation under control.