Now will betray Gods: Smriti Irani slams RaGa's Ram Mandir visit as polls ploy

• Smriti Irani criticizes Rahul Gandhi's visit to Ram Temple for votes
• Says, "those who questioned Ram's existence are now visiting Ram Mandir for votes"
• Rahul Gandhi is expected to visit Ram Temple ahead of his possible visit to Amethi

Union minister Smriti Irani slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's planned visit to Ayodhya's Ram Temple before his possible trip to Amethi, accusing him of exploiting religion for votes. Irani, seeking re-election from Amethi, asserted those who questioned the existence of Lord Ram are now visiting Ram Mandir during the elections for seeking votes, which is nothing but betraying the god.

"It has been said to us that after Wayanad's voting today, the Congress candidate will arrive here, but first he will visit Ram temple. They rejected the invitation to the Ram temple consecration ceremony, now they will go to the temple as they think that this might get them votes, which means now they will go to betray god as well," Irani said.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Irani's victory over Gandhi in Amethi, a long-standing stronghold of the Gandhi family, marked a significant political shift. Past representatives from this constituency include Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi.

Senior Congress leaders are yet to finalise candidates for remaining Lok Sabha seats, including Amethi and Raebareli, in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday evening. Amethi is scheduled to vote in the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 20.