After CPI(M), More INDI Alliance Parties Like TMC, RJD May Abstain From Ram Mandir Event; Congress Remains Undecided

Following the refusal by Communist Party of India (Marxist) to attend the Ram temple inauguration, more partners from the INDI Alliance are expected to follow suit while Congress still remains undecided.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is reportedly unlikely to participate in the consecration ceremony on 22 January, citing the party's policy of avoiding the amalgamation of politics with religion, as reported by The New Indian Express.

Rashtriya Janata Dal, another partner in the INDI Alliance, is also expected to abstain from the event.

The Congress, despite receiving invitations to top leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, is yet to make a definitive decision.

Shiv Sena (UTB) leaders are eager to participate, although party chief Uddhav Thackeray is yet to receive an invitation.

While Congress general secretary K C Venugopal announced that the party would reveal its stance later, some Congress leaders such as Sam Pitroda and Shashi Tharoor emphasised the need to prioritise issues like unemployment and inflation over religious events.

The Congress is also facing pressure from its ally Indian Union Muslim League in Kerala, which seeks a clear stand on the matter.

Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar confirmed he hasn't been invited for the ceremony.