“The allegations of corruption show how Lord Ram was used for political and economic gains”: NCP chief Jayant Patil

News Desk: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Thursday said a ‘non-political committee’ of devotees needs to monitor the spending of funds collected for the construction of the Ram Temple of Ayodhya. NCP’s demand comes at a time when allegations of scam arose regarding the purchase of land in Ayodhya which the Ram Temple trust has denied.

“A non-political committee of Ram bhakts should be entrusted with the task of maintaining transparency in the spending of funds for temple construction,” Maharashtra minister and state NCP chief Jayant Patil was quoted as saying.

“The Ram temple’s sanctity should be maintained. All Ram bhakts feel that the temple should be constructed in complete faith and trust. The allegations of corruption show how Lord Ram was used for political and economic gains,” he further added.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) again alleged on Thursday that land for the Ram temple in Ayodhya was bought at a higher cost than prevailing rates, and suggested that there was corruption in the deal.

Addressing a press conference, the party’s Uttar Pradesh in-charge and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh said 12,080 square metres (sqm) of land was bought for 18.50 crore, while a 10,370sqm-plot next to it was bought for 8 crore.

“This clearly shows that there has been corruption in the purchase of land. If the rate of 10,370sqm of land for 8 crore is considered correct, then about 26,000sqm of land could be bought for 18.50 crore, whereas only 12,080 square meters of land was bought for 18.5 crore. The agreement, which the Ram Janmabhoomi Trust, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) were repeatedly referring to, was cancelled on March 18,” Singh said.

The temple trust has denied all allegations, saying the deal was done quickly, but in a transparent manner.