UP Political News: Akhilesh's Ram Mandir Visit Sparks BJP Attack Ahead of 2027 Elections

Uttar Pradesh's political battle ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections is increasingly revolving around Ayodhya and the Ram Mandir. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's announcement of visiting Ram Janmabhoomi on December 12 has triggered a fresh political confrontation between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party. Ahead of his proposed visit, Akhilesh has also promised to develop Ayodhya as the global capital of Sanatan pilgrimage. However, BJP leaders have strongly criticised his announcement and questioned his intentions. Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane launched a controversial attack, saying Akhilesh should bathe in cow urine 100 times before entering the Ram Mandir. Uttar Pradesh BJP president Pankaj Chaudhary also targeted the SP chief, asking him to visit the temple on December 6 instead of December 12 and apologise for the deaths of Ram devotees during the earlier Ayodhya movement. UP ministers Dayashankar Singh and Om Prakash Rajbhar have also questioned Akhilesh's decision, accusing him of giving a political colour to his proposed temple visit. Meanwhile, the controversy has also exposed differing political positions within the Samajwadi Party. Ballia SP MP Sanatan Pandey's remarks defending the police firing on kar sevaks during the previous Samajwadi Party government have triggered another political storm. While Akhilesh is projecting his Ram Mandir visit as a step towards expressing his faith in Lord Ram, BJP leaders continue to question his political intentions. The developments have intensified the political debate over religion, identity and electoral strategy in Uttar Pradesh, with Ayodhya once again emerging as a major battleground ahead of the crucial 2027 Assembly elections.