Donation theft in Ayodhya and land grab in Mahakal, this is the new Modi model: Congress

The Congress on Wednesday (June 24, 2026) linked the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya with the land acquisition controversy involving Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in Ujjain, close to the Mahakal Temple.

The party accused the BJP of playing with people’s faith for financial and political gain.

Addressing a joint press conference with Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari, Congress media and publicity wing head Pawan Khera said these developments pointed not only to corruption but also to a betrayal of people’s faith.

“Ujjain and Ayodhya are international issues. People’s faith is linked to these cities. People are frugal to be able to save and go on pilgrimages. Looting the money, carrying out a theft, is like stabbing people’s faith,” Mr. Khera said, referring to allegations that huge amounts of donations have been siphoned off by people in the Trust that manages the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

“Donation theft in Ayodhya and land grab in Mahakal, this is the new Modi model,” Mr. Patwari said, questioning the “silence” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on both issues.

The remarks come amid a political controversy triggered by reports that Mr. Yadav’s family members and real estate firms linked to them acquired large tracts of land in and around Ujjain after he assumed office in December 2023.

An investigation published this week reported that the family and associated entities purchased at least 137 plots covering about 168 acres, much of it in areas expected to benefit from proposed road projects and land-use changes linked to Ujjain’s expansion ahead of the 2028 Simhastha Maha Kumbh.

Mr. Khera said former Congress leader Ashok Chavan, who is now in the BJP, had to resign as Maharashtra Chief Minister over charges that his mother-in-law owned an apartment in the Adarsh Housing Society in Mumbai.

“In this matter, no action is expected from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will feast on ‘melody’ abroad and ‘jhal muri’ at home; his Chief Minister will swallow land and the donated gold and silver,” the Congress leader alleged.