Bhopal: Congress leader Rajiv Shukla on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over chanting of "Jai Shri Ram" at an election rally in Ayodhya and said that BJP is using Ram to seek votes.
"The party has cheated Lord Rama for the past 30 years as it seeks votes in his name and forgets him after elections.
Those who don't have any faith in Lord Rama raise slogans during elections and later forget him. Lord Ram will punish Modi," Shukla said at a press meet here.
He was asked about Modi chanting "Jai Shri Ram" after ending his speech at a rally in UP.
Asked whether Congress will approach the Election Commission on the issue, Shukla said, "The EC should take cognisance of it. I am myself saying they are cheating Lord Ram."
Taking a dig at BJP leaders, Shukla said "They say they will build Ram Temple in Ayodhya during every election but forget after building their own castle."
Shukla said after voting ended in nearly 375 Lok Sabha constituencies, reports suggest BJP will lose seats everywhere, be it Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Maharashtra.
"In the entire country they are getting lesser seats (compared to 2014). In South India, the BJP has no existence except in Karnataka."
The situation is not good for them. Their seats are reducing in Uttar Pradesh and same is the case in Gujarat and Jharkhand. Wherefrom they will get majority" the Congress leader questioned.
Taking a jibe at Modi, Shukla said he is "misleading" people ahead of the remaining three phases of polling to improve BJPs performance.
While filing nomination from the Varanasi, Modi had told people not to believe those who are saying that the BJP is winning this election.
Addressing the media, he indicated at a fractured verdict on May 23, when the Lok Sabha poll results will be out and added the Congress is going to form the next government with support from like-minded parties.
