Today, several legislators from Uttar Pradesh visited the temple city of Ayodhya, but notable in their absence was the Samajwadi Party. Despite an invitation from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav declined to join the visit to the holy site.
“We will go only when Lord Shri Ram calls us,” stated Mr. Yadav during the Uttar Pradesh assembly session on Saturday.
Departing from Lucknow at 8 am, ten luxury buses carried cabinet ministers and lawmakers to Ayodhya. While most legislators participated, Samajwadi Party leaders did not join the journey.
According to an official statement, Chief Minister Adityanath will directly reach Ayodhya airport on Sunday. He and his cabinet ministers will then proceed for a darshan (sacred viewing) of Ram Lalla at the Ayodhya temple.
The total number of legislators attending the Ayodhya visit was unclear, given that there are 400 members in the state assembly and 100 members in the Legislative Council.
In the assembly, the BJP holds 252 seats, while its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) has 13 seats. Additionally, the Nishad Party and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) hold six seats each. Both Nishad and SBSP are part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance.