New Delhi (Agency): In Madhya Pradesh, a state soon to have elections, the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party are in a heated debate over a recent event led by Bageshwar Dham head priest, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri.
The state Congress seems eager to benefit from the popularity of Shastri, a controversial figure known as a self-styled godman. State Congress President Kamal Nath and his son, MP Nakul Nath of Chhindwara, hosted a three-day religious event called ‘ram katha’ in the Chhindwara district. This event drew large crowds with thousands of devotees attending to listen to Shastri’s teachings.
Kamal Nath appears to share a close bond with Shastri, a move that state BJP leaders have labeled as “Congress’ hypocrisy.”
While the ‘ram katha’ in Chhindwara has concluded, the political discussions surrounding it continue to grow. At the end of the event, Kamal Nath commented, “The relationship between me and Acharya Shastri is related to Hanuman ji, it is a relation of faith and belief. I have dedicated 40 years to politics for the betterment of people. Similarly, Shastri ji, you have held religious talks at various locations, but Chhindwara offers a unique atmosphere for such religious gatherings.”
However, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had a different viewpoint. Commenting on the Congress’ involvement in the ‘ram katha’, he stated, “The Congress is confused and desperate. They once refrained from mentioning Lord Ram, even deeming him a mythical figure. Now, they actively participate in religious events and recite religious texts like the Hanuman Chalisa. Their sudden religious involvement appears as a strategy for the upcoming elections, a kind of ‘electoral devotion’.”
Chouhan further remarked, “Kamal Nath seems unsure of his political direction. There are now questions within his own party about who should be the Chief Minister. The doubts surrounding his leadership have become so prominent that it seems he’s turning to religious events to reinforce his position within the Congress.” State Home Minister Narottam Mishra also publicly criticized Nath regarding this matter.
