Political heat rises over Akhilesh Yadav’s Ayodhya visit; BJP targets SP over Ram Mandir visit plans, SP hits back

Political heat rises over Akhilesh Yadav’s Ayodhya visit; BJP targets SP over Ram Mandir visit plans, SP hits back

Desk: With Assembly elections on the horizon, the holy city of Ayodhya has once again become the focal point of politics. While the BJP is busy strengthening its organization, the upcoming visit to Ayodhya by Samajwadi Party (SP) National President Akhilesh Yadav has stirred up political activity. Akhilesh Yadav is scheduled to arrive in Ayodhya on October 8 and attend a *Shrimad Bhagwat Katha* (scriptural recitation) organized at the residence of Tej Narayan Pandey, alias Pawan—the SP’s declared candidate. However, a visit to the Ram Mandir is not included in the proposed itinerary. This has sparked a war of words between the BJP and the SP.