Champat Rai’s article on Nripendra Misra’s role in Ayodhya temple construction sparks controversy
Mr. Misra says there is “nothing negative or controversial” in the article; it isn’t Rai vs. Misra, it is Modi vs. Bhagwat, says Congress
Former Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust (SRJTKT) general secretary and senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Champat Rai accused Ram temple construction committee chairman Nripendra Misra of wielding near-complete control over the temple's construction. In a nine-page Hindi article published on August 18, Mr. Rai claimed that no work on the temple was undertaken without Mr. Misra's approval and that decisions made without his involvement were rejected.
According to Mr. Rai, Mr. Misra brought several individuals of his choice into the committee, including those who rarely attended meetings and were consulted on security matters. The article details the organizational and engineering arrangements for the project, with Larsen & Toubro selected as the construction agency and Tata Consulting Engineers appointed as the project management consultant, both under Mr. Misra's guidance.
Mr. Rai credited Mr. Misra for overcoming hurdles during the project and completing the temple's construction in six years, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The controversy surrounding the article has drawn criticism from Congress MP Pawan Khera, who pointed out the political divide between Mr. Rai, an RSS man, and Mr. Misra, a Prime Minister's man.
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