The Congress party hosted a feast in Ayodhya to welcome its Uttar Pradesh chief, Ajay Rai. This event has led to a heated dispute with the ruling BJP, primarily over the serving of fish curry, a dish that has cultural and religious significance in the region. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the two parties as they navigate political dynamics in Uttar Pradesh.
The ruling party leaders also reminded the Congress that the holy months of Sawan have not ended yet and eating fish during this time hurt sentiments.
BJP leaders including UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have questioned the Congress for serving fish in the “abode” of Lord Ram and home to the Ram temple. Congress MP Pawan Khera said Ajay Rai is a vegetarian and rejected the BJP’s charge as an attempt to divert attention of the public from critical issues like exam paper leaks and the Ram temple donations theft case.
“If he does not have the photo then he should resign from his post. Visuals from the Congress’s event venue showed people washing and cutting fish and some chopping onions and other vegetables near a large tub laden with fried fish. A fabric wall divided the cooking area from the large tent where the Congress held its programme, keeping the outdoor kitchen out of view. Congress leader Ram Nihal Nishad had organised the feast to welcome the state’s party chief and celebrate new members who recently joined his outfit. He defended the decision to serve fish to guests and sought to know what violation and, in a swipe at the BJP, under what law would such an act be considered unlawful.
Rai told reporters he would like to challenge BJP leaders to show a single photo of him eating fish and he would gladly resign. He lies everyday, wearing saffron clothes,” Rai said, alluding to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who had slammed the state Congress chief over the matter.
