Controversy Erupts as Karnataka Chief Minister Announces Construction of Ram Temple Ahead of State Elections

Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka, the announcement by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai that a grand Ram temple will be built at Ramadevara Betta near Bengaluru has sparked controversy. Former CM and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy dismissed the announcement as a political stunt and claimed that he will construct the temple by defeating the ruling BJP government in the upcoming elections. Kumaraswamy stated that the BJP's dream of building the temple will remain in the budget book only. He added that if the BJP had wanted to build the temple, they should have done so three years ago. He expressed confidence that he knows who will be forming the government in the upcoming elections and that he will have to build the temple.

During the presentation of the last budget before the polls, CM Bommai had announced the construction of a grand Rama Mandira in Ramadevara Betta. He also stated that the government will undertake a comprehensive development and renovation drive of various temples and mutts, with an expenditure of Rs 1,000 crore, over the next two years.

Ramanagara, which is part of the Vokkaliga-dominated old Mysuru region, is a JD(S) stronghold where the BJP is attempting to make inroads. Kumaraswamy's wife, Anita Kumaraswamy, who is a sitting MLA from the constituency, recently declared that their son Nikhil Kumaraswamy will contest from Ramanagara in the upcoming elections. Moreover, Ramanagara is the home district of state Congress President D K Shivakumar.