Lucknow/New Delhi, May 5 (IANS) BJP leader Narendra Modi Monday invoked the name of Lord Ram in a Lok Sabha election speech and urged the people to vote out the "corrupt and incompetent Congress government at the Centre".
In New Delhi, the Congress went to the Election Commission (EC), calling it a "misuse of religion to canvass".
Modi, speaking in Faizabad, the twin city of Ayodhya where the disputed Babri mosque-Ram temple site is, said even Mahatma Gandhi espoused the cause of "Ram Rajya".
"... When people asked Mahatma Gandhi how good governance should be, he would reply in one word, a welfare state should be like 'Ram Rajya'," Modi said.
"I am privileged to be in the land of Lord Ram..." the Gujarat chief minister said at the rally.
The BJP's prime ministerial candidate, however, did not mention the Ram temple issue in his speech.
Speaking against the backdrop of the proposed Ram temple in Ayodhya, Modi also urged the people not to vote for the mother-son government, referring to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and party vice president Rahul Gandhi.
"This is the land of Lord Ram where people believed in 'pran jaye par vachan na jaye' (one may lose life but cannot break a promise). Can you pardon those who broke their promises?" Modi questioned.
Faizabad has been the seat of the Ram temple movement of the '90s that drummed up support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Congress went to the EC, complaining about the use of a religious symbol for canvassing, calling for derecognition of the BJP.
"The BJP and Narendra Modi have used the portrait of Lord Rama, which is strategically placed behind the podium from where the speech is being delivered by Narendra Modi. The headgear of Lord Rama fits on the head of Modi," the Congress said in its complaint.
"This is clear misuse of religion to canvass and seek vote on the basis of religion," the Congress said, adding the speech was broadcast live across the country.
"It is therefore, requested that FIR should be registered against all of them and the BJP may be derecognised under the symbol laws and any other action as may be," said the letter.
The BJP, meanwhile, took a dig at the Congress saying it keeps running to the EC with complaints.
"The Congress keeps running to the Election Commission with complaints... I would urge the Congress to make an expressway from its headquarters to the EC headquarters so they can complain any time," BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said in the national capital.
In the staggered Lok Sabha polls, balloting in Faizabad will be held May 7.
Power to cost more in Bihar from April
Patna, March 16 (IANS) Power would be costlier in Bihar from April 1 as the state's power regulator on Monday announced a 2.5 percent increase in the tariff. "In a bid to bridge the gap of losses,
Digital India to Prepare Nation for Tech-Based Transformation
New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee Monday said Digital India programme would prepare the country for technology-based transformation."My government has envisioned an ambitious
Goa CM Denies Occupying two Houses
Panaji, Jan 16 (IANS) Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar Friday denied reports suggesting that he occupies two government houses and lashed out at the national media for blowing the issue out
Salman Khan: 'Give me five crores or face the same fate as Baba Siddique...', police received a threatening message from Salman
Mumbai Traffic Police has received a threat from Lawrence Bishnoi gang for Salman Khan. Lawrence Bishnoi gang has sent a message on the WhatsApp number of Mumbai Traffic Police. In this, five crore
'Wherever there are terrorists, we will enter and kill them...', jaishankar's message to Pakistan- India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has given a very clear answer to US President Donald Trump and some analysts of Western countries, who are trying to make India focus on economic cooperation by keeping
Sure Indians will be rooting for New Zealand: McCullum
Melbourne, March 28 (IANS) New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum believes Indians fans, who will be in attendance in large numbers at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the cricket World
Diljit Dosanjh took a big step amidst the Punjab 95 controversy, fans will be shocked to know.
Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh is in the limelight these days. In the last few months, the singer has made a lot of headlines with his concerts. Immediately after the show, he got busy with
The bid for Noida DM's racket, who won the silver medal in Paralympics, reached 10 crores
New Delhi: Today is the 71st birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On this occasion, the auction of gifts received by PM Modi from different places has been started. These gifts also include kits
Protest against hit and run law: Strike of transporters and private bus operators continues, transport system deteriorated
The strike of transporters and private bus operators continued for the second day on Tuesday in protest against the new hit-and-run law. On the second day of the strike called by the transporters,
Rohit became emotional after 8 consecutive defeats: Said on social media - We did not give our best, but it happens
The current season has been no less than a nightmare for Mumbai Indians, the most successful team in IPL history. The team has played 8 matches so far and lost all the matches. Mumbai has become the
