‘Attack On Temples Is BJP-YCP Game Plan’

The rampant attacks on temples and vandalisation of idols triggered allegations and counter allegations between political parties in Andhra Pradesh. While the TDP and BJP have been charging the ruling YCP with hurting the sentiments of the Hindus by desecrating idols in temples and forcing many to convert their religion, the YCP had been alleging that the TDP was vandalising the temples and blaming the ruling party for the attacks to tarnish the image of the government.

Now, the Congress too jumped into the blame game with a different rhetoric. Congress leader and former MP Harsha Kumar alleged that the BJP and YCP were behind the attacks on temples. He said that both the political parties were working hand-in-glove in vandalisation of temples.

He alleged that it was the BJP which was planning attacks on temples to bag Hindu votes in Andhra Pradesh, as they had done in neighbouring Telangana.

Further, he said that the police were not catching the culprits behind the attacks having received orders from the Centre. He said that the truth in the case will come out if a probe is constituted with one of the sitting judges of the Supreme Court.

He alleged that the YCP was cooperating with the BJP in inciting communal feelings in the state. “The BJP benefited by raking up the Bhagyalakshmi temple sentiment in the GHMC elections,” he pointed out.

It is an open secret that the BJP and MIM have a secret pact in Telangana, he said.

The former MP said that the Dalit and minority voters who have been distancing themselves from the YCP following attacks on them have started getting close to the ruling party after the attacks on temples.

Further, Harsha Kumar alleged that TDP president and Opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu was aware of the YCP-BJP conspiracy but yet making anti-Christianity statements.

The attacks on temples will have a bearing on the Tirupati bypolls round the corner, the ex-MP said. “The desecration of idols would stabilise the votes for the YCP-BJP but cause loss to the TDP.”