Ayodhya (UP): MLAs from different political parties, except Samajwadi Party (SP) members, along with the ministers in Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday visited Ayodhya and paid obeisance to Lord Ram in his newly constructed temple on the call of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana.
Accompanied by ministers and legislators from the ruling coalition, members of opposition parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and Congress joined in the collective reverence for Lord Ram.
The buses provided by the Transport Corporation resonated with the chanting of Ramdhun, while the vehicles were adorned with vibrant flowers, setting a serene atmosphere. To enhance the comfort of the journey, arrangements for refreshments were made, and each MLA received a thoughtful token of remembrance, including a diary, a pen and a calendar.
For many, this pilgrimage marked a historic milestone, culminating in the realisation of a dream cherished for centuries, the construction of the grand temple of Lord Ram. The unity displayed by the government and MLAs from across the political spectrum was hailed as a momentous occasion, attributing it to CM Yogi's visionary leadership.
Reflecting on the profound significance of the pilgrimage, MLAs expressed overwhelming emotions and shared anecdotes of their anticipation leading up to the journey. Some took the opportunity to lament the absence of SP and its leader, Akhilesh Yadav, criticising their decision not to partake in the darshan of Lord Ram.
In interviews with the media, MLAs from various parties conveyed their sentiments of reverence and gratitude. Congress MLA Aradhana Mishra 'Mona' reminisced about her longstanding connection with Awadh, considering the pilgrimage as an auspicious and deeply personal moment.
BSP MLA Umashankar Singh commended the government's arrangements and emphasised his party's commitment to secularism, denouncing any politicization of the pilgrimage. Nishad Party President and cabinet minister Sanjay Nishad described the occasion as monumental, underscoring the emotional significance of reconnecting with Lord Ram after many years.