Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday attacked UP Congress president Ajay Rai over an alleged fish feast at a welcome programme in Ayodhya, accusing him of "duplicity" for offering prayers at Hanumangarhi before attending an event where fish was allegedly served, reported news agency ANI.
The controversy erupted after a video surfaced showing fish being prepared at a banquet hall in Ayodhya, where a welcome programme, was reportedly organised by the Nishad community for Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai. The alleged fish feast drew objections from local religious figures, who questioned the serving of non-vegetarian food in Ayodhya during the month of Sawan.
According to the report by ANI, Addressing a gathering in Raebareli on Monday, Yogi criticised Rai over the alleged incident.
"You saw the behaviour of the Congress state president: he goes to offer prayers at Hanumangarhi, but later outside he enjoys a feast of fish. He could have eaten whatever he wanted outside, anywhere other than Ayodhya. Yet, this is the duplicity they display," Yogi said.
Taking a further swipe at the Congress leader, the chief minister said, "Even a chameleon would be put to shame by these people; it would wonder what kind of human species this is, chanting 'Ram-Ram' inside the temple and feasting on fish the moment they step out."
Yogi also linked the controversy to what he described as Rai's political history and alleged that the Congress leader had previously bowed before a mafia figure after the latter was accused of murdering his brother.
"When a mafia don murdered his brother, this man did not testify against the criminal; instead, he knelt and bowed in submission before him," Yogi alleged.
He further claimed that the situation changed only after government action against the alleged mafia element.
"It was only when the government stepped in and crushed that mafia element that the situation changed; otherwise, these people had turned the state into a mafia-dominated territory, creating an identity crisis," he said.
Rai rejected the chief minister's allegation and challenged him to produce photographic evidence.
"The CM is criticising; does the CM have any photos? If he can produce any pictures, I will be ready to resign immediately," Rai said.
Explaining his presence at the Ayodhya programme, Rai said he had been invited by the Nishad Samaj and denied responsibility for the alleged fish arrangements.
"Nishad Samaj invited me to a programme in Ayodhya yesterday. If they were getting fish prepared there, it would be their concern. I attended the programme and returned," Rai said, reported ANI.
Congress MP Pawan Khera subsequently defended Rai and criticised the BJP over the controversy, alleging that the fish feast was being used to divert attention from other issues, including paper leaks.
"Such issues are raised so that important issues like paper leaks are not raised. Today, when people think of Ayodhya, they are reminded of the theft of donations. Can 'Maach-Bhaat' make people forget about the theft of donations in Ayodhya?" Khera said.
He also said Rai was a vegetarian and questioned the BJP's criticism of the alleged food arrangements.
"Ajay Rai is a vegetarian, even if he were not, what is wrong with it?" Khera said.
BJP MP Ashok Bajpai, meanwhile, accused the Congress of hurting religious sentiments by organising the programme in Ayodhya during Sawan. While acknowledging that individuals have the freedom to choose their food, Bajpai said Ayodhya's special religious significance meant that the alleged incident was bound to invite objections.
He also accused the Congress of practising appeasement politics and alleged that the controversy reflected what he described as the party's "anti-Hindu character".
The exchange has intensified the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress in Uttar Pradesh, with the alleged fish feast becoming the latest flashpoint over religion, food and political conduct in Ayodhya.
(With inputs from ANI)
