Patna : Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a public gathering in Patna on Sunday, raising allegations over the Ayodhya Ram Temple fund controversy and demanding sweeping changes to the electoral process.

Referring to the allegations of financial irregularities linked to the Ram Temple fund, Kharge invoked Lord Ram and called for those allegedly involved to be held accountable. “Lord Ram should open his eyes and punish those who have allegedly looted wealth in his name,” he said.

Kharge also criticised the BJP-RSS alliance, accusing it of undermining the legacy of prominent Bihar leaders, including Dr Rajendra Prasad. He further alleged that the state was witnessing a situation resembling “jungle raj” and argued that peace in the country would remain difficult to achieve as long as the RSS ideology continued to prevail.

Recounting a previous controversy involving an alleged ‘shuddhikaran’ (purification) incident directed at him, Kharge said BJP president J.P. Nadda had promised an inquiry, but an FIR was instead registered against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his visit to Haldwani.

Turning his attention to electoral reforms, Kharge strongly opposed the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, describing the issue as a major challenge for democracy. He urged people in Bihar to spearhead a nationwide movement against the exercise.

The Congress chief demanded that elections across the country be conducted using ballot papers, called for an immediate suspension of SIR and sought the annulment of Assembly elections held over the past two years.

Framing the opposition to SIR as a broader struggle for democratic rights, Kharge appealed to the public to unite against what he described as threats to electoral integrity, calling for what he termed a “second war of independence.”

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